Okay, this is kinda sad right here, and it's a completely real story so don't go looking for The Babylon Bee link.
Yes, a youth group out of Rogers Park in Chicago is actually asking gangs to refrain from shootouts during the day. That's how desperate Chicago has become.
People living in the middle of a gang war in Rogers Park are employing an unusual strategy to try to stop it.
As CBS 2's Marybel González reported Wednesday night, a youth organization group are asking gang members to pledge to have a ceasefire between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily.
The group is taking its message of peace directly to the gangs in the push to curb gun violence in the neighborhood.
Yeah, good luck with that.
These are gangs we're talking about.
Native Sons formed following the shooting death of 5-year-old Devin McGregor last summer in the 7600 block of North Paulina Street, in the North of Howard section of Rogers Park…
Through dance, sports programs, and music, Native Sons wants to engage kids - especially as school is out. The organization even has a studio, recording, and producing program.
Okay, I like that. We need more stuff like that.
But the 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ceasefire?
Nah man, you really think gangs are gonna listen to you?
The group has created what they call the People's Ordinance, where they're asking rival gang members and others to cease fire during the day.
"It's like a treaty almost, like where they also agree that we don't want 5-year-olds being killed; we don't want 78-year-olds being shot," Atkins said. "We've talked to rival gang members, and they seem to gravitate towards what we're trying to do."
It's one small step, they say, to create big change.
"I've noticed that it's a lot that are just like, 'Why not just don't shoot, period?' It's like, we've tried that," Atkins said. "'Why not just listen to the gun laws?' We've tried that."
"It's not like we can tell them to stop all in all," said Washington. "It's baby steps."
"Why not just listen to the gun laws?"
You hear that?
"Why not just listen to the gun laws?"
Crazy stuff, and you know what, I hope it works out for these Native Sons.
I just don't see gangs listening to anyone out here in the streets like that.
I told you earlier this was not a Babylon Bee article, but by golly it could've been if they'd pitched hard enough last week.
Reality is creeping closer and closer to satire folks.
And that's scary.
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
