CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A Black labor leader here in Chicago said the deadly weekend violence is heart-rending, and he and his members are sounding the alarm.
Greg Kelly is president of SEIU Healthcare, which represents hospital and home health care workers, among others, and most of his members live in the communities most affected by the violence. Kelly, who is a South Sider, told WBBM Newsradio the union must speak out.
"If wages and benefits is job No. 1, this is job 1a or 1b. Just making the point that people deserve to live in safe communities," Kelly said.
This Fourth of July weekend saw 92 shot, 16 fatally, across Chicago since Friday night in city’s most violent weekend of the year. Six children and teens are among the wounded.
Even before the weekend, Kelly was pleading for government officials, police and communities to come together to confront the violence.
"So, it is certainly multilayered and, again, we feel a responsibility, given our role, to lift up the voices of our members and make sure that we're all, if nothing else, you know, sounding the alarm,” Kelly said.
He said more leadership is needed from all sides.
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