(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) Chicago-based nonprofit “I’m Telling, Don’t Shoot,” funded a text alert system to warn citizens about impending “teen takeovers,” like the one that occurred in the downtown area of the city last weekend.
Founder of the nonprofit, Early Walker, put together the initiative, calling it “Parents For Chicago.” Walker provided 90% of the funding for the alert system, which locals can sign up for by texting “CHICAGOKIDS” to 21000, or emailing [email protected].
Chicago riots coming to your city pic.twitter.com/lEMHHh4Uza
— Mic-Ha-El (@marineo341) April 17, 2023
According to the Daily Wire, Chicago residents decried the rash of shootings, lootings, arson and assault as high-ranking government officials continue to insist there was no chaos.
Sen. Robert Peters, D-Ill., went as far as voicing support for the mob and attempted to spin their obviously destructive intent as a mostly peaceful protest.
“I would look at the behavior of young people as a political act and statement,” said Peters. “It’s a mass protest against poverty and segregation.”
Chicago’s embattled Lori Lightfoot ensured that the teenagers who committed crimes would face charges, but argued that casting the occurrence as “mayhem,” as reporters suggested, was an over-exaggeration.
“I’m not going to use your language, which I think is wrong, to say there’s ‘mayhem,’” Lightfoot said in a public statement.
“It’s wrong to say that it’s mayhem”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot reacts to the violent riots in Chicago this weekend: pic.twitter.com/5fTXv0nlSe
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 17, 2023
Nearly 100 teenagers rioted in the Chicago loop throughout the weekend. Three teenagers were shot, the youngest one being 14 years old. Police arrested 15 rioters in the aftermath.
The mob attacked a young couple, Devontae Johnson and Ashley Knutson as they exited a Nordstrom. When the group threatened to kill them, a passerby intervened.
The woman who saved the couple called out Lightfoot for “sugarcoating” the situation.
“I can’t be involved in any level of sugarcoating what I saw,” said Dennis. “That was mayhem.”
Lori Lightfoot said the violence frenzied teens who we’re destroying Chicago, and decided to attack a young couple walking out of Nordstroms, were just downtown enjoying the city. pic.twitter.com/N1o04rjC61
— 𝔹𝕦𝕕… (@bud_cann) April 19, 2023
Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson also defended the teenagers and argued that it is the local government’s responsibility to provide spaces for teenagers to gather safely.
“It is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities,” said Johnson. “Make sure that young people know that they’re supported.”
