Rev. Al Sharpton, panelist say jobs are the key to solving gun violence
Rev. Al Sharpton seems to be keeping his promise of placing a spotlight on Chicago violence. During a town hall meeting on Thursday at Hyde Park Academy on the city’s south side, Sharpton and other leaders echoed the notion that jobs are the key to reducing crime in the city.
“More jobs are needed to stop the rash of gun violence. It is hard to be outside shooting and robbing people when you are at work or worried about losing your job,” said Harold Lucas, a 69-year-old community activist and president and CEO of the Black Metropolis Convention & Tourism Council, a nonprofit organization in Bronzeville. “These young black men need gainful employment and entrepreneurship if they are going to have a chance at getting off these streets,” Lucas said.
12 panelists joined Sharpton including: Minister Jeffrey Muhammad of the Nation of Islam; the Rev. Janette Wilson, a senior advisor, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; the Rev. Marshall Hatch, pastor of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Austin; Maureen Forte, president of the Chicago chapter of the National Action Network; and Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and chairman of the state’s Violence Prevention Taskforce.
The civil rights leader plans on reviewing a taping of the town hall meeting to analyze what was said and how best to incorporate the suggested solutions.
Thoughts on the solution?
Are jobs for young people the key to reducing gun violence?
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