Hundreds March in Illinois Against Easy Access to Guns

Rev. Jackson, Fr. Pfleger, families affected by gun violence, rally at Chuck’s Gun Shop

CHICAGO (May 26, 2007) - Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, flanked by the family of Blair Holt and Fr. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago, rallied outside Chuck’s Gun Shop in Riverdale, a suburb just south of Chicago, to push against legislation that blocks the trace of weapons that have led to a wave of violence in the Chicago area.

Organizers of the march seek legislation against the use of semi-automatic weapons, unlimited gun sales, and blocking trace of weapons used in violent crimes, such as the death of Blair Holt, the 16-year-old Julian High School-honor student.

“We are going to change the gun laws because we must fight against easy access to guns,” said Rev. Jackson. “This is us against them. The children of this generation are not facing Jim Crow—they’re facing easy gun flow.”

Hundreds marched in the rain from Park School, winding through the bedroom community of Riverdale, chanting “We don’t want guns, we want our sons,” and carrying signs that read “Save the children, stop the gun flow.” The march ended at an empty lot next to Chuck’s Gun Shop, despite a small-group of gun proponents who blocked the entrance with a semi-truck.

Other officials in attendance were State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-16), State Senator and Rev. James Meeks (D-15th), Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, and Rev. Donald Parsons.

Organizers plan future marches at other Chicagoland gun shops, as many weapons used in gun crimes are traced to those merchants. Protesters seek to overturn HR 4818, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005, which restricts disclosure of any part of the contents of the firearms tracing system. Father Pfleger believes the difficulties in tracing weapons are due to the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) influence with downstate legislators.

“We are here today to choose life. We refuse to make funeral directors the number one business in our communities,” said Father Pfleger. "NRA money cannot buy moral authority. We will embarrass every legislator that takes money from the NRA.”

Sen. Collins called on her colleagues in the state house to back up their pro-life rhetoric with common-sense gun laws.

Sen. Meeks proposes gun legislation that will make it illegal to sell bullets because it is so difficult to ban semi-automatic weapons.

Duncan, who attended each of the 27 funerals of CPS students killed by gunfire this year, including Blair Holt’s, said something has to change. “One child killed is one too many. If we don’t change something soon, shame on us,” Duncan said.

Blair Holt’s parents also marched with Rev. Jackson and Fr. Pfleger. “Young people should not have to worry about getting to their destination safely,” said Ronald Holt, policeman and father of deceased Blair Holt. “As a community we need to provide a safe passage for our children.”

Standing with the Holts, Rev. Jackson challenged the people to take hold of the issue and pressure state and federal legislators into enacting common sense gun laws. “We intend to fight the merchants of death. Where we live must be an oasis of hope and not a valley of death,” Rev. Jackson said.

Source: Rainbow PUSH Coalition

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