Chicago Ministers Try To Drum Up Support For 'Peace Weekend'
CHICAGO (CBS) – Ministers have a plan to get a grip on Chicago violence after 302 people have been murdered this year.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker has a preview of "Peace Weekend."
Tears were shed Friday for Nathaniel Gonzalez, who was gunned down during a drive-by shooting.
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His funeral marks the 43rd St. Andrews Baptist Church has held since January -- most in the last couple of months.
"Sometimes one a week, sometimes two, sometimes none, sometimes in doubles," Jeanette Winters says of the frequency.
The violence underscores the desire for the Peace Weekend a group of multidenominational ministers promoted Friday.
They passed out flyers at the CTA train station on 87th asking commuters to attend special church services this weekend and hear what everyone can do to promote peace.
"We're encouraging every adult to take part in a youth program or a mentoring program," says Rev. Marshall Hatch of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.
The South Side train station was just one of four locations where the ministers were passing out flyers. They were also on the West Side, Southwest Side and downtown.
"We're always connected to one another in an urban city and especially in an urban area like Chicago," Rev. Larry Greenfield of American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago said.
The ministers say the Peace Weekend is only the beginning.
On Monday, they plan to focus on getting assault weapons off the streets by protesting outside a gun shop in Melrose Park.
