Genocide and Code of Silence are killing our youth
Mom seeks justice for Deontae, offers $10,000 reward
By Chinta Strausberg
The Code of Silence is preventing frightened South Side residents from identifying the killer of Deonate Smith, 19, who was fatally shot two-years ago Monday and genocide is taking out our children, Saint Sabina Father Michael L. Pfleger said Monday during a press conference held marking the second anniversary of the unsolved crime.
Pfleger joined Tonya Burch, the mother of Smith who was shot at an unauthorized Englewood block party on August 1, 2009 at 61st and Peoria, Minister Jonathan Banks from the Apostolic Faith Church, Theresa Broy, a retired city worker who prayed asking that the Code of Silence ends, Melech Thomas, a seminarian from Saint Sabina, and others stood in solidarity with Mrs. Burch who called on the killer to turn himself in.
Pfleger said, “It is a tragedy and a sadness that we have to be here today. Deonate was killed here two-years ago. Children have been killed two-months ago, two-weeks ago, two-days ago all throughout this city. There’s a genocide going on of our children.
“Superintendent McCarty can put police on every corner of this city and it’s not going to stop the crime until the community decides that the crime has to stop. There were hundreds of people out here the night that Deonate was killed,” said Pfleger.
“The neighborhood has to be the one that comes forward. The neighborhood has to be the one to talk. The neighborhood has to be the one to tell who did it because until criminals and murderers are afraid of the community, they will keep on doing it. “
Referring to criminals, Pfleger said, “They are not afraid of the police. That’s obvious, and they’ll never be afraid of the community until the community stands up and says this is unacceptable on our block and in our neghborhood,” said Pfleger.
He prayed that one day people across the city “will wake up as communities and decide we will not let our children be shot and killed and somebody goes home, sits up and eats McDonald’s and watches TV like nothing ever happen. That’s not acceptable in this city and in this nation.”
Referring to the intense debate involving the federal debt-ceiling controversy, Pfleger said, “We saw the whole world focus on the economic crisis for the last number of weeks. It got solved. Let’s ask the whole community and the nation to care about violence and let’s solve that too.
“It doesn’t make any difference if we have a balanced budget and our children are dying in the streets. So, now let’s be focused on violence in America and let’s stop the killing of our children and the communities wake up, and come out of your houses, stop being afraid because as long as you don’t say anything, your children will be in danger of being shot tomorrow,” warned Pfleger.
Agreeing, Minister Banks said, “You have no idea what it’s like to go to bed every night knowing that your son’s killer is out in the streets and there are people out here with knowledge (of who the killer is) but they choose not to come forward. She did not choose to be in this position….” He urged the community to come forward with information about the shooter.
Asked how did he feel about some youth telling Mrs. Burch she had better keep their names out of their mouth, he said, “There is a great way to end all of this and that is to bring forth information necessary to bring justice for Deonate. That is what we are asking for.
“This mother has already lost so much. What are we going to take from her further? We want to give her the peace of knowing that she can move forward…and the people of this community don’t have to fear for their safety and worse to add insult to injury fear that should something happen that people will keep it silent,” he stated.
Minister Banks linked hands with the family and with bowed heads prayed that God would “we pray for Deonate’s killer, God that you would stir their conscience, Lord, that they would desire to see justice for this grieving mother.” He prayed that the killer would be treated with dignity and fairly under the law. “God, let them know they must atone for this that you demand, Lord God, that they take accountability for their action..”
Melech Thomas, a seminarian from Saint Sabina, bowed his head and prayed saying “we bind up the spirit of violence in the name of Jesus…..” He prayed for commonsense gun laws and afterschool programs. He prayed that churches open their doors for children .
He prayed “peace and His spirit reign, let your spirit reign in this place…. We believe that you can heal this land, God…. They can achieve academically. They can achieve careers. They can achieve spiritually, Lord, God, and most of all mothers will not have to bury their children prematurely….”
“My son was going to Daley College and to the Air Force,” said Mrs. Burch, but his dreams were shattered when a bullet pierced his chest. A 17-year-old girl was shot but survived.
As a symbolic gesture, Mrs. Burch and her supporters released several red balloons. “This means Deonate is going to heaven,” she said wiping tears from her face.
Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host.
Welcome to CopyLine Magazine!
The first issue of CopyLine Magazine was published in November, 1990, by Editor & Publisher Juanita Bratcher.
CopyLine’s main focus is on the political arena – to inform our readers and analyze many of the pressing issues of the day - controversial or otherwise. Our objectives are clear – to keep you abreast of political happenings and maneuvering in the political arena, by reporting and providing provocative commentaries on various issues. For more about CopyLine Magazine, CopyLine Blog, and CopyLine Television/Video, please visit juanitabratcher.com, copylinemagazine.com, and oneononetelevision.com.
Bratcher has been a News/Reporter, Author, Publisher, and Journalist for 33 years. She is the author of six books, including “Harold: The Making of a Big City Mayor” (Harold Washington), Chicago’s first African-American mayor; and “Beyond the Boardroom: Empowering a New Generation of Leaders,” about John Herman Stroger, Jr., the first African-American elected President of the Cook County Board. Bratcher is also a Poet/Songwriter, with 17 records – produced by HillTop Records of Hollywood, California.
Juanita Bratcher
Publisher
facebook123 Says:
Superb website…
[...]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[...]……
Posted on August 24th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Cheap Flyers Jerseys|Wholesale Flyers Jerseys Says:
Blogs ou should be reading…
[...]Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[...]…
Posted on August 28th, 2011 at 9:09 am
2011 Super Bowl Jersey | Super Bowl 2011 Jersey Says:
[...]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren抰 linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[...]…
[...]Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors[...]…
Posted on August 28th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Ganhar dinheiro na internet Says:
Links…
[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]……
Posted on August 31st, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Mariah Carilan Says:
Superb website…
[...]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[...]……
Posted on August 31st, 2011 at 4:30 pm
snow blowers reviews Says:
Sites we Like……
[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
Posted on September 1st, 2011 at 2:49 am
Mauritius Villas Says:
Links Trackback…
[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]……
Posted on September 2nd, 2011 at 10:45 am
Self Catering Accommodation Mauritius Says:
Links Trackback…
[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]……
Posted on September 4th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
facebook123 Says:
Recent Blogroll Additions……
[...]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[...]……
Posted on September 22nd, 2011 at 9:33 am
http://www.classifiedsgiant.com Says:
Sites we Like……
[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
Posted on September 23rd, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Window Cleaners Catford Says:
Visitor recommendations…
[...]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[...]……
Posted on September 29th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Accommodation in Mauritius Says:
Related……
[...]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[...]……
Posted on September 30th, 2011 at 2:08 am
Location Ile Maurice Says:
Websites worth visiting…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……
Posted on October 1st, 2011 at 9:44 am
Location Bungalow Ile Maurice Says:
Great website…
[...]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[...]……
Posted on October 2nd, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Location Villa Maurice Says:
Websites we think you should visit…
[...]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[...]……
Posted on October 3rd, 2011 at 4:18 am
Apartments in Mauritius Says:
Check this out…
[...] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[...]……
Posted on October 4th, 2011 at 5:44 am
metal roofing prices Says:
Gems form the internet…
[...]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[...]……
Posted on October 8th, 2011 at 1:24 am
Brian Keith photography Says:
Awesome website…
[...]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[...]……
Posted on October 8th, 2011 at 6:16 am
internet marketing blog Says:
Recommeneded websites…
[...]Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors[...]……
Posted on October 8th, 2011 at 8:09 am
accountant fort worth Says:
Check this out…
[...] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[...]……
Posted on October 8th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
estepona property Says:
Sites we Like……
[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
Posted on October 10th, 2011 at 8:04 am
http://www.squidoo.com/marbellaproperty31 Says:
Check this out…
[...] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[...]……
Posted on October 10th, 2011 at 10:16 am
conversational spanish phrases Says:
Blogs ou should be reading…
[...]Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[...]……
Posted on October 17th, 2011 at 3:09 am
sexy heels Says:
Sites we Like……
[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
Posted on October 19th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
roofing colorado springs Says:
Sites we Like……
[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
Posted on October 19th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
car locksmith Says:
Websites we think you should visit…
[...]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[...]……
Posted on October 20th, 2011 at 6:01 am
how to host minecraft server Says:
Websites worth visiting…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……
Posted on October 20th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Pellet Stove Fireplace Insert Cazenovia NY Says:
Great website…
[...]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[...]……
Posted on October 24th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Brisbane financial advisor Says:
Websites we think you should visit…
[...]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[...]……
Posted on October 26th, 2011 at 12:43 am
diet pills best Says:
Websites worth visiting…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……
Posted on October 27th, 2011 at 4:49 am
halifax veterinarian Says:
Recent Blogroll Additions……
[...]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[...]……
Posted on October 27th, 2011 at 7:31 am
free iPhone Says:
Awesome website…
[...]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[...]……
Posted on October 28th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
talent show Says:
Cool sites…
[...]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[...]……
Posted on October 29th, 2011 at 5:38 am
website traffic Says:
Related……
[...]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[...]……
Posted on November 7th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
WDC Web Directories on Facebook Says:
Sites we Like……
[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
Posted on November 8th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Torrid Promo Code Says:
Recommeneded websites…
[...]Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors[...]……
Posted on November 19th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
decorators London Says:
Sources…
[...]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[...]……
Posted on November 20th, 2011 at 6:43 am
Cable Assemblies Says:
Recommeneded websites…
[...]Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors[...]……
Posted on November 21st, 2011 at 12:23 pm
catering murah Says:
Awesome website…
[...]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[...]……
Posted on November 22nd, 2011 at 8:04 am
Student health insurance Says:
Online Article……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available [...]……
Posted on November 25th, 2011 at 4:21 am
survivalist Says:
Visitor recommendations…
[...]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[...]……
Posted on November 25th, 2011 at 12:18 pm