BTW, you can also see a video report here.
Also the picture of GCA President Carl Lewis is credited to WBBM-TV.
Every day, President Barack Obama reads 10 letters from average Americans. Now a Chicago man is hoping the president will read his letter. CBS 2 introduced you to him back in January, on Inauguration Day, as he saluted the new commander in chief. CBS 2's Mike Parker reports that the Vietnam veteran says his letter is a matter of life or death.Go read the whole thing, but here are some notes regarding this piece from the e-mail.
Air Force and Vietnam veteran Carl Lewis says he's fed up with the violence and death that's creeping into his middle class and manicured Chatham neighborhood on the south side.
"This gang violence has brought itself to our community," said Carl Lewis. "We're shocked by it."
Lewis is fed up with the prayer vigils, teddy bears and balloons at the places where children have been brutally murdered. He wants, as he puts it, to draw a line in the sand.
"And the only way I felt that we could do it is the letter that I sent to Barack Obama," Lewis said.
Carl informed Mr. Parker about the 1000 Man March which is sponsored by the 3rd District Police. Unfortunately, Mr. Parker said that the upcoming, new GCA program "No Excuses!" was one of the sponsors. That was a miscommunication.This was mentioned in the WBBM-TV story, but it was mentioned in the e-mail as well...
Carl launched the first initial introduction of the "No Excuses!" program at Mayor Daley's Block Club Convention on April 25. However, Mayor Daley didn't attend, nor for that matter did Police Superintendent Jody P. Weis.
The "No Excuses" program is currently undergoing further development and more details on this program will be made available soon by the president to our group.
Carl also welcomes ideas and comments from our membership and neighbors when the program is reviewed before full roll-out to the entire community.
Carl also wanted me [Leslie Honore GCA Communications Manager] to remind everyone that CBS has final control over all editing of this news clip. So though Carl referred to himself as the Greater Chatham Alliance President, the news story refers to him only as a former veteran living in Chatham.
Today, Channel 2, CBS reporter Mike Parker contacted GCA President Carl Lewis this morning to do a follow-up story on Carl.The right place at the right time and he already has something of a platform on TV.
You may recall that Parker interviewed Carl at the DuSable Museum luncheon that was held in honor of the President's inauguration festivities.
Truth Crusader
ReplyDeleteIf Mr. Lewis really wants to do something, then him and the men in his orgnaization need to come out of their houses and from behind their manicured lawns and hit the blocks where the young people are and offer them positive alternatives. No slogan, No march, no press story for self adulation is going to address the problem. The problem is in the street, and its been in the street and until MEN come out from behind whatever rock they are hiding behind the problem will exist.