In Memoriam

Jovauni M. Ramirez died in January 2010.
 
Children killed 2011-12 School Year:
 

 
Sadly, there is no definitive list of children killed by violence in Chicago. Many die unnoticed. One daughter on our banner remains unidentified. Please contact us if we misspelled a name or if we overlooked a child killed by violence in the last three school years.

Almost all of these children and youth are African American or Hispanic. Most are teenagers killed by gun violence. Some are younger children, some are victims of domestic abuse, and some were innocent bystanders. A few were killed in police shootings. We include them all because all were victims of violence – all were sons or daughters – even if they were also perpetrators.

“Hurt people hurt people.” Countless children in our city are traumatized by violence. Entire communities struggle for survival amidst devastating poverty and crippling fear. Yet there are also heroic moments of resiliency and hope. As a city, we need to acknowledge that resiliency and to support the courageous yet under-funded efforts for peace. We are all part of the problem and part of the solution, and to end this violence, we must stand and work together.