CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A peace walk to remember the life of 13-year-old Adam Toledo brought hundreds of people from across Chicago to Little Village on Sunday.
People participated either by foot or by circling the area in their cars, after not being able to find parking. With a focus on remembering Adam Toledo, the gathering began with a healing ceremony and included various local musicians playing traditional Latino music. It was organized and promoted by several community groups; Increase the Peace with top billing.
Those in attendance held discussions on how the community can better assess their surroundings, but many said it will also take some work on the part of the Chicago Police Department.
"There's a big mistrust, and we are trying to rebuild that trust," said one man in attendance.
"This is not the life we are choosing on a day to day basis, it's our neighborhood, it's our circumstances, it's a lack of resources that we don't have for the youth. At the end of the day, we just want peace and justice and to be treated the same way," said a woman.
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Among the hundreds in attendance was U.S. Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who has spent 52 years in the Little Village neighborhood. He said the focus of the community is not only on the loss of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, but young lives that have been lost in the past and lives that can be saved in the future.
"I think community leaders and people who care passionately about this community are utilizing this moment to not forget the life of Adam Toledo, and all of the promise that it held, but also to rally to prevent other deaths like this, whether it is because police violence or violence in the community," Garcia said.
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He said more resources are needed for young people, and that with the overwhelming peer pressure from gangs that neighborhood youth may face, adults need to do a better job of providing positive alternatives.
"Yes, I think the community has come to make a collective realization that in many respects, we as individuals, as a community, as parents have failed many young people in this community," Garcia said. "And we need to step it up."
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Sunday's events follow the release of body-camera footage showing Chicago Police Officer Eric Stillman shoot Adam Toledo less than a second after the boy dropped a gun, turned toward the officer and began raising his hands.
Stillman chased Adam down a dark alley on March 29 after responding to a call of gunshots.
Largely peaceful demonstrations have been held each day since the video was released on Thursday.
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