In light of recent events that have occurred in Lakeview ( specifically, Boystown ) , a coalition of religious and other community leaders as well as local residents for the "Faith Response for Peace," an anti-violence vigil that took place the evening of July 23 in the 7-Eleven parking lot at the corner of Roscoe and Halsted.
In the midst of bar-hoppers walking down the North Halsted strip ( the event started at 10:30 p.m. ) , dozens of people held candles or lilies while various individuals spoke, sang, prayed or offered meditations.
"We found it necessary to come together in a visible and communal way to pray for peace and reconciliation amongst all in this community and on all sides of the issue," said the Rev. Fran Holliday of All Saints Episcopal Church to the gathering. "This event is not about pointing fingers or placing blame; it is not about name-calling. It's about health, peace and reconciliation."
Rev. Rudra Vilius Dundzila was the event's prayer leader. "Coming from different religious traditions, the faith communities of Lakeview all share a common belief in what the Rev. Martin Luther King called the beloved community," he told the crowd. "It is a world of love. His was a vision of an integrated societyall races; rich and poor; young and old. To this, we add queer and bi and straight and all genders."
Among others who spoke were TJ Williams of New York City's Riverside Church and Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, who passionately called for unity. The Rev. Rodney Reinhart, rector of St. Clement's Episcopal Church in Harvey, said, "You all have come here tonight because deep in your heart [ and ] deep in your soul, you are proud to be gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. You are proud to love one another. You are proud because you have stood up over and over again to say, 'I am who I am. I will be who I will be. I will make a difference. ... We will not accept violence against those we love.'"
Another person who attended was 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman, one of two openly gay members of Chicago's city council. "I'm just so honored to be among this crowd of peaceful people," he said. "The city council is committed to peace and we want to do everything we can to work with you. I'm here to stand here with you and honor all those people who were victims of hate. As a former Franciscan friar, I stand up against hate in all forms."
Attendees also sang songs such as "We Shall Overcome" ( led by Alicia Ozier of Taskforce Prevention & Community Services ) and recited the Lord's Prayer as they touched the shoulders of those next to them.
Brent Holman-Gomez, who attends Berry United Methodist Church, told Windy City Times that "people of various faith backgrounds decided to come together to do something about the violence in Boystown."
When asked about the timing of the event ( occurring a few weeks after a stabbing incident that galvanized the community ) , Gomez said, "We just felt that it would be an ongoing need because it's a behavioral issue. There needs to be healing and we're here to provide a space for that healing."
As for the possibility of future vigils/rallies, Gomez told WCT. "We've talked about it. We've talked about the fact that there's an ongoing need. One gathering is not to solve anything."