In a response to the recent escalating violence aimed at youth in the city’s neighborhoods, Chicago’s public access station, CAN TV will devote an entire day to programming produced by residents whose communities have been affected by violence.
The “Stop the Violence” programming will be cablecast from 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 on cable channel CAN TV19. The day begins with a live one-hour panel and call-in show featuring community leaders from the Chicago Public Schools, the 6th Ward and Bronzeville.
Other programming for the day includes, first person accounts of parents, like 2009 Father of the Year Ron Holt, who’ve lost children to violence, a dance group offering an alternative to gang life, youth created work trying to make sense of the violence, and community residents active in anti-violence work.
On June 27, at 5 p.m., a documentary will air featuring interviews with gang members and street hustlers warning youth about the dangers of life on the streets.
For a complete schedule and descriptions of the “Stop the Violence” programs Click here

Sept. 5 started out in the usual way. At about 10:15 a.m., I started out of my apartment to go to get my mail. I saw a police truck pulling into the parking lot. A police truck usually means the cops came to a “load” – more people than they can put in the police cars. By the time I got downstairs, there were two police cars pulling up in the alley behind the playground. The cops were already at the gallery on the first floor and they were putting handcuffs on one of the women standing outside apartment 105.

All of a sudden, a second woman broke loose and started running. The police were right behind her. Some of her friends yelled for her to stop but she kept running. As soon as they passed Fairfield Street, six or seven cars sped down Fairfield. I believe this was to cut her off on California, the next street – only one half a block away. Read more »