Chicago Training

According to a book title, “Northern Protest”, which describes the Chicago Movement, Ralph Abernathy, later wrote that they received a worse reception than they had in the South. Their marches were met by thrown bottles and screaming throngs, and they were truly afraid of starting a riot.[72] King's beliefs mitigated against his staging a violent event, and he negotiated an agreement with Mayor Richard J. Daley to cancel a march in order to avoid the violence that he feared would result from the demonstration.[73] King, who received death threats throughout his involvement in the civil rights movement, was hit by a brick during one march but continued to lead marches in the face of personal danger.[74]
Things have not changed much today. It is unfortunate that Dr. King was exposed to such hatred and violence and decided to focus his energy elsewhere. Now it is our turn to move the ball further down the field to honor the efforts of our ancestors and to save the lives of today’s youth. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and this is why we are in Chicago. Now is the time for radical change we cant focus our energy anywhere else. More People! More Power! More Progress!

Your continued presence, commitment, and participation in this meeting, as well as, the training program so the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement gaining new energy and the Gathering growing deeper roots in the community and the hearts and minds of all involved. The Movement never died it just slowed down and now is the time to pick up the pace. We are many working in isolation it is time to focus on collaboration through nonviolent direct action to address the root causes of the violence and lack of perceived Justice.

Member organizations of The Chicago Gathering for Justice have strong campaigns that offer smart solutions to bettering Chicago. Over the past year we have trained together, created strategy together and now are ready to act together understanding how prophetic Dr. Kings words were "Either we go up together or we go down together, let us develop this type of dangerous unselfishness." As you all remember, Chicago was chosen as a national priority at our Convention in 2007. In 2009 Chicago is our tier one city, this four month training program and continual strategic and tactical support, we humbly offer the coalition you all have been a part in creating.

Positive Peace,

Jonathan L. Lewis
Gathering for Justice
National Director of Nonviolence Training

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