CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Native Sons, a Rogers Park-based community outreach group, has called on gang members in Chicago to reconsider firing guns during the day.
The group said it’s seeking support for what they’ve billed as “the People's Ordinance,” as part of Native Sons’ Safe Summer Initiative, which is aimed at saving youth from violence and trauma in our communities.
The initiative is meant to protect Chicago’s youth from engaging with and glorifying gun culture, said Native Sons co-founder Tatiana Atkins.
“The kids that want to be seen in pictures in guns — who are really honor roll students, who really have hard working parents, who really come from good homes — but because we saw them on social media carrying a gun, ‘Oh they must be a part of that gang, we’re going to shoot them,’” she said.
Specifically, Atkins said the movement asks gang members to refrain from shooting firearms between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. in order to reduce the risk of innocent people getting hurt.
“If this is the life you want to live, don’t be around students,” she said. “Don’t be around regular-class people. Even if these are your family and friends, you’ve got to separate yourself because you’re getting little kids killed.”
Atkins said the idea is gaining traction with community leaders, including Ald. Maria Hadden (49th), who included the idea in her newsletter, as well as positive feedback from officers at the 24th Chicago Police District.
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