GUN SHY CeaseFire West director Norman Kerr stages protests at shooting sites.

Photo: Michael Jarecki

CeaseFire
(1603 W Taylor St, 312-996-8775; ceasefirechicago.org)
Mission Prevent shootings and provide alternatives to violent acts
Victories Started anti–gun violence work in Garfield Park in 2000. Implemented a model for community mobilization that includes getting residents and faith leaders involved in anti–gun violence efforts. CeaseFire estimates its actions have prevented more than 400 shootings since 2004.
Methods Protests—or “responses”—to shootings, asking community members to gather at the scene and recognize what happened

In response to a rash of school shootings, in 2000 the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention started CeaseFire, which works directly with community-based organizations and focuses on street-level outreach, conflict mediation, raising awareness about gun violence and violence prevention. If shootings do happen, CeaseFire organizes protests to raise awareness of the issue: After a shooting, CeaseFire asks its staff, faith leaders and community members to gather at the scene of the crime. There, they protest with anti–gun violence signs and chants. CeaseFire members also discuss the tragedy with attendees, and pass out information about gun laws and compensation for the victim’s medical care.

“We’re out there with as many numbers as we can get, depending on the victim,” says Norman Kerr, director of CeaseFire West, which focuses on the neighborhoods of West Humboldt Park and West Garfield Park. “A lot of times if it’s a 4-year-old, people come out in large numbers; if it’s a 25-year-old who was involved in the [gang] lifestyle, the numbers aren’t that high.”

These protests, of course, can’t be planned far in advance. Over the weekend of April 18–20, for example, the Tribune reported seven deaths from gun violence, one near CeaseFire’s West Side offices (3645 W Chicago Ave). In response, CeaseFire quickly organized an April 24 protest and barbecue at the scene of the crime. Wary community members sometimes mistakenly believe CeaseFire activists are protesting an individual business. But once they realize what the organization is doing, most appreciate the efforts, Kerr says. “We really want to break the cycle [of violence],” he explains, “because a lot of these [same violent crimes] have been going on for years and years.”

—Alicia Eler

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