Chicago police, community group proposes truce for 12 houses
A Chicago politician and community group are so desperate to end gun violence in the Windy City that they’ve devised a plan that sounds like it was inspired by The Purge — they’re asking people to just do it not firing their guns twelve hours a day,
Councilwoman Maria Hadden shared in a recent newsletter A suggestion by the group Native Sons, urging Chicagoans to refrain from firing guns between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. when there is a greater risk of being caught in the crossfire.
“Protect the youth from slipping while the sun shines,” reads a leaflet for the proposal, known as the “People’s Decree.” The promo also includes an image of a white picket fence dotted with colorful clouds and an appeal: “Don’t shoot! I want to grow up.”
“We have to start somewhere,” said Tatiana Atkins, co-founder of Native Sons local branch CWBChicago.
“Our goal is to address gun violence in our city strategically, rather than all at once. Things did not happen overnight and changes will not happen overnight.”
In addition to the daylight truce, the ordinance also asks residents not to associate with gunmen, not to glorify them, and not to wear ski masks.
“When those who lead a certain lifestyle try to work with ‘normal’ class citizens, they endanger everyone,” Atkins said.
Critics note that the idea bears a disturbing resemblance to the plot of the 2013 film The Purge, in which every crime, including murder, is legal one night a year.
Although the group’s proposal was dubbed an “ordinance” and had Hadden’s support, no formal law was introduced to increase penalties for people firing guns during a theoretical 12-hour ceasefire.
However, Atkins said that social media and media coverage are fueling her group’s movement to curb gun violence.
“We’re not waiting for a bill or legislation to enforce what we think needs to be done,” she said.
The group’s sweeping proposal comes just months after progressive Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson succeeded Lori Lightfoot in office and was tasked with the Herculean task of stemming the city’s mounting crime crisis.
The total number of crimes so far this year jumped 34% compared to the same period in 2022, although shootings are down 10%.
Last weekend 23 people were shot citywide four fatal; The weekend before, an eight-year-old girl was among the seven people killed by gunfire.
