CHICAGO (WBBM) - A group of inner-city ministers is calling for fasting and prayer the next three days -- to dramatize the violence that targets Chicago schoolchildren.
WBBM's Bob Roberts has the story.
Their goals are to try to protect children and move lawmakers to act on gun control legislation that is stalled in Springfield.
"It's out of control. It's terrorism on the streets of Chicago," said Bishop Larry Trotter, pastor of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church.
They called for three days of fasting, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with church services focusing on gun violence each night at 7 p.m. And they said they intended to lobby lawmakers to resurrect a bill that would limit gun purchases to one per person each month and four other bills.
"Who in Illinois needs permission to buy more than one gun a month? Not even a hunter," Trotter said.
One bill would hold adults responsible for the same crimes as juveniles to whom they give guns and another would limit the size of ammunition clips that could be sold to the public.
The ministers accused downstate lawmakers who have consistently voted against gun control legislation of disinterest or hostility to the plight of Chicago's children.
"Those legislators that are downstate, they feel as if what goes on in Chicago ain't important to them. But we've got to let them know, just like it happens right here, it can happen downstate anytime, any moment," said the Rev. Walter Turner of the New Spiritual Light Baptist Church, whose niece was murdered by a stalker who shot her as she left church services earlier this month.
The ministers last week called on churches citywide to sponsor activities for students on an ongoing basis between 3 and 7 p.m., saying that half of the shootings in which schoolchildren are victims occur during those hours.
Duncan said he considers gun violence targeting children an issue of national importance.
"Our children should not be living in fear. Our children should not be worried about leaving church and getting home safely, or getting to and from school, or going to classes at Virginia Tech or Northern Illinois (University)," he said.
Duncan said he is appalled by the number of schools that have found it necessary to suspend classes because of threats real or perceived in recent months.
"This makes no sense. It makes no sense whatsoever. And it's time for a change," he said.
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