Last year, Chicago saw its least violent Memorial Day weekend in at least 16 years. Organizers of a citywide event hope to keep that trend going this weekend.
Poet and anti-gun violence advocate Kweisi Gharreau is leading the third annual Peace, Love and Forgiveness Poetry and Comedy on the Block Ceasefire.
“This is a very grassroots initiative to provide the community during the four days and four neighborhoods where gun violence has been prevalent a safe, creative space for expression to curate their art for three to four minutes,” Gharreau says.
For Gaharreau, this is personal. He lost his brother Jonathan of gun violence in 1992. But he found respite in poetry.
“Writing poetry did empower me to write the two men who killed my brother to make peace. So for me, this is a lifestyle. As well as a movement,” he says.
The third annual Peace, Love and Forgiveness Ceasefire will take place in Chicago all weekend at the following venues:
- Friday, May 22 in Ogden Park at 6500 S. Racine from 3-5 p.m.
- Saturday, May 23 in Columbus Park at 500 S. Central Ave. from 1-3 p.m.
- Sunday, May 24 at Visions at 11901 S. Ashland Ave. from 3-5 p.m.
- Monday, May 25 at the Federal Center at 219 S. Dearborn from 1-3 p.m.
In 2025, Chicago saw its least violent Memorial Day weekend in at least 16 years. And organizers of a citywide event hope to keep that trend going this weekend.
In 2025, Chicago saw its least violent Memorial Day weekend in at least 16 years. And organizers of a citywide event hope to keep that trend going this weekend.
