President Obama coming to Chi-Raq to 'talk about the gun violence'

[CACtain Planet]

President Barack Obama will visit Chicago on Friday, when he will discuss gun violence as he focuses on his economic message from Tuesday's State of the Union address, according to the White House.

Obama will "talk about the gun violence that has tragically affected too many families in communities across Chicago and across the country," a White House official said in a statement.

The president's visit answers calls from Chicago anti-violence activists that Obama talk about the recent spate of gun violence in the city, several of the activists said.

"This is an important issue," said Cathy Cohen, founder of the Black Youth Project, which attracted about 45,000 signatures by Sunday night in an online petition that urges Obama to speak up. "We think of this as a victory for all of us."

The group posted the petition on change.org shortly after Hadiya Pendleton, 15, was shot to death last month at a South Side park. The King College Prep student was slain about a week after performing with her school band at Obama's inaugural festivities.

Since Hadiya was shot about a mile from the president's Kenwood neighborhood home Jan. 29, during the deadliest January for Chicago since 2002, pastors, parents and activists have demanded that more be done about the city's violence.

First lady Michelle Obama attended Hadiya's funeral Saturday. Hadiya's mother, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, will also attend the president's State of the Union speech on Tuesday, family spokeswoman Shatira Wilks said late Sunday.

Hadiya's godmother, LaKeisha Stewart, said she hasn't heard whether the president will spend time with the Pendletons during his trip to Chicago.

Stewart said she's happy about Obama's plans. "Any awareness that can be brought to this issue that can prevent any family from ever feeling the pain that we as a family have felt … is awesome," she said. "This city is in pain right now."

Nathaniel Pendleton, Hadiya's father, said his family didn't know much about the president's Chicago trip, but "if he decided to speak with us, we'll be more than happy."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson said the president's remarks in Chicago will play a different role than Michelle Obama's attendance at Hadiya's funeral. The first lady didn't speak publicly about the events surrounding the teenager's death.

"Her being there is very important since it was her neighborhood," Jackson said. "I think the president's coming is important because she did not deal with the politics. … She dealt with the calming concern for a broken-hearted family," he said.

Obama and gun violence: President coming to Chicago - Chicago Tribune

 

[Jello Biafra]

Obama gonna tell 'em to kick off their slippers, stop eating all that fast food chicken and lay off them violent video games.

 

[Hiphoplives4eva]

Obama gonna tell 'em to kick off their slippers, stop eating all that fast food chicken and lay off them violent video games.

I'm certain that'll be the general gist of it. He'll probably tell them to stop whining about racism and the white man as well.

 

[Colilluminati]

Real talk im going to go and ask questions.

 

[TruStyle]

 

[Real N Quotes]

What he needs to do is tell them nggz that if they don't cut it out he's going to cut off their welfare, make em take drug tests, weight management, and maintain their kids positive academic reports to be elgible for any gov't assistance.

 

[Amare's Right Hook]

Turn in your gun, get a free Xbox.

 

[Dirty_Jerz]

how big of a possibility is it that he gets shot out there?

 

[cleanface coney]

i hope he dont speak all vague and politically correct

get to the nitty gritty nikka fukk all dat kumbaya shyt

 

[feelosofer]

As long as what he says comes from the heart and he suggests good, well thought out solutions then I'm game.

 

[daze23]

you guys are just setting him up. obviously he's not gonna get up there and just say "you guys should stop shooting each other". even though ultimately that's all that needs to be said...

 

[superunknown23]

He might as well just let it rip... he's got no re-election to worry about

 

[88m3]

He might as well just let it rip... he's got no re-election to worry about

It's not like he's ever going back.










Chicago is like a CNN album

 

[cleanface coney]

you guys are just setting him up. obviously he's not gonna get up there and just say "you guys should stop shooting each other". even though ultimately that's all that needs to be said...

if he not gone say it then dont go imo

 

[thekingsmen]

He will be in a nice area of Chicago talking about Gun-Violence. He won't come to the hood to address the issue.