News from Chicago, IL

Nine of us gathered at St Peter’s Episcopal Church to reflect on the lives of those affected by gun violence – one was a victim of gun violence herself, others are relatives of victims and all are advocates and educators in the struggle to eradicate gun violence from our communities. Ours was a small, but intense, gathering. We shared fond memories as well as stories of unrelenting fear, offered one another consolation and encouragement, exchanged lists of resources and ideas for action, and left, not as the strangers who had gathered, but as a determined coalition inspired and empowered to transform a narrowly-focused system supporting the isolated interests of a few into a society accountable for the well-being of us all.