PETITION FOR ACTION AGAINST VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO

We, the residents of Chicago, Illinois, hereby petition Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City of Chicago to immediately do their fundamental duty and protect the citizens from this rash of senseless deadly violence we are in the grips of. The huge number of murders, shootings and violent crimes taking place everyday in Chicago are devastating families and has become so routine that some families are victimized time and time again. The impact falls disproportionately on people of color.
The communities are also disrupted with the lost potential and the silent partner of paralysis that leaves the survivors virtual prisoners in their own homes trying to avoid the violence from reaching them. Young people have fewer and fewer activities in which they can safely engage. Businesses are impacted as people try to avoid areas where violence has occurred. Once again the impact is overwhelmingly on people of color.
The City of Chicago's lack of an adequate response only leaves us more vulnerable. Simply echoing past failures and simplistic plans will no longer suffice. As human beings our lives and safety are more important than ANYTHING else you may do. More important than gambling palaces, airport expansions, tourism, sports, etc. It is a duty to act that is owed to the victims and a fundamental right of the living. It is past time to act.
We demand that the City of Chicago immediately:
 Prepare and present an action plan to combat these violent crimes;
 Detail police hiring and deployment levels sufficient to protect ALL residents;
 Propose city-wide youth programs offering non gang-related activities;
 A neighborhood police presence so residents can safely move about and conduct business;
 Neighborhood/police interactions to promote trust and cooperation; and,
 Sufficient resources to seriously combat this deadly state of affairs.

WE DESERVE MUCH MORE BUT WILL ACCEPT NO LESS.