Pastor: Slain Chicago teen Hadiya Pendleton the face of "epidemic of violence"

CHICAGO A prominent Chicago pastor remembered a slain 15-year-old girl Saturday as the face of an "epidemic of violence causing funeral processions around the country."

Father Michael Pfleger spoke at Hadiya Pendleton's funeral, telling a packed South Side church that "we must become the interrupters of funeral processions."

Pendleton was a band majorette and honor student who was shot and killed on Jan. 29, just a few days after performing for events surrounding President Obama's inauguration. Police say Pendleton was an innocent victim in a gang-related shooting.

Hundreds of mourners and dignitaries including first lady Michelle Obama stood and applauded Pendleton's family for their strength after her death brought national attention to the city's staggering gun violence.

Mrs. Obama met privately with the family and accompanied the girl's mother to the open casket at the front of a packed South Side church just before the start of the service.

Mrs. Obama, who grew up on Chicago's South Side, put her arm around Cleopatra Pendleton and patted her back. The woman threw her head back and wailed as the lid of her daughter's flower-strewn casket was closed.

Moments later, the hundreds in attendance rose to their feet to begin the service with a round of applause "to the strength of this family." Then, the choir began to sing so loud the floor shook.

Some of Illinois' most recognizable politicians and clergy were also in attendance, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Father Michael Pfleger. But Pendleton's family says her funeral service was not about politics — it was about remembering a girl who loved to dance, who once appeared in an anti-gang video.

"Everything is about Hadiya," said Shatira Wilks, one of Pendleton's cousins and a family spokeswoman.

None of the dignitaries was slated to speak during the service, which was officiated by the teen's pastor, the Rev. Courtney Maxwell, and the Rev. Eric Thomas, the pastor of the Greater Harvest Baptist Church, where the service was held. The teen's brother was also expected to speak, and the musical group that Pendleton was a member of will perform.

Pendleton was shot and killed while she talked with friends after school at a park not far from the Obamas' home in the Kenwood neighborhood. Police have said the shooting appears to be a case of mistaken identity involving gang members who believed the park was their territory. No charges have been filed.

Pendleton's death brought new attention to Chicago's homicide rate and the national debate over gun violence. Pendleton's slaying came in a January that was the city's deadliest in a decade. In 2012, Chicago recorded 506 homicides.

Earlier Saturday morning, a line of hundreds stretched from the church as mourners filed past Pendleton's casket. A woman who walked in with the girl's family sobbed loudly while organ and piano music played.

A glossy, eight-page funeral program included photos of Pendleton and details about her life, including her favorite foods — cheeseburgers, fig cookies, Chinese and ice cream — and the numerous school organizations she was involved in, and said she wanted to major in pharmacology and journalism in college.

The program also included a copy of a handwritten note from Mr. Obama addressed to the girl's family.

"Michelle and I just wanted you to know how heartbroken we are to have heard about Hadiya's passing," it reads. "We know that no words from us can soothe the pain, but rest assured that we are praying for you, and that we will continue to work as hard as we can to end this senseless violence. God bless, Barack Obama."

Other dignitaries at the service were Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett — all of whom are from Chicago.

Quinn mentioned Pendleton's death in his State of the State address earlier this week as he called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

"There are no words in the English language — or any language — to relieve the pain of parents who lose a child," said Quinn, who said he spoke with Pendleton's family two days before his speech.

[LilacInfidelus]

Hasn't this family realised they are merely a tool yet?

[valeriebush]

Mr. Obama, really! Everyone has there proper title except for the President of the United States.... Total disrespect as usual.

[NOOBAMAA]

"fatt butt Michelle Obama."

[Little_Old_Lady]

stevex47 replies:Let me get this right, because the nra has flooded the population with weapons of mass destruction, we need more cops?

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Here is a perfect example of the mentally retarded liberal mentality that will prevent the core problems from ever being addressed.

[1959angel]

RACE, RACE, AND RACE. WE ARE SO IGNORANT THAT WE KEEP FIGHTING EACH OTHER. WHILE WE DO SO MANY IN GOVERNMENT WHO BENEFIT FROM ALL THIS MESS LAUGH AT OUR STUPID *****.GO AHEAD KEEP THE RACIAL BATTLE; THAT'S REALLY GONNA HELP US.

[Little_Old_Lady]

This had nothing to do with a race battle and it had nothing to do with "Gun" violence.

This is a black homie gang problem and until it is addressed as a black homie problem, it will only continue to fester.

Time to throw political correctness out the window and take out the trash.

[1959angel]

THIS PASTOR IS A LAZY IDIOT WHO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE IGNORANT TO EARN HIS LIVING BECAUSE HIS LAZY ASS DO NOT WANT TO WORK.

[Little_Old_Lady]

No better than Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton!

[notawing]

The Obamas have been a great inspiration helping teens get away from crime in Chicago and other cities. Just look at all they've done.

[sallychicago]

THE PRESIDENT is NOT responsible for policing the STREETS and protecting people in Chicago. It's the Mayor, the sheriff and STATE police who are responsible. Why don't you write the same thing about killing in NYC and Philadelphia?

[stevex47]

Sad that we must write off our childrens lives, so nutjobs can play with their guns.

I dont think it's a good trade off, but the nra from the stupid party does.

[Nanjing03]

Wrong off the top STEVEX47. The key part of what was discussed was "...fewer and declining gun crimes and fewer and declining gun accidents where there are the greatest numbers of responsible citizens with guns." Hope that helps.
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Next: The NRA doesn't "flood the population with [guns]." The NRA is the nation's largest grass roots political action organization that spans all political parties and all of society. The are fast approaching 5 million dues paying members and they are in agreement with most American voters who number in the upper tens of millions. They are not in the gun manufacturing and marketing business. I believe that you are referring to Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Smith&Wesson, Colt, Armalite, Glock, Hechler&Koch, SigArms, Fabrique Nationale, Taurus, etc. You know -- companies that make products for consumers.
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Finally: "Weapons of mass destruction" (WMD) are not guns of any type. WMDs are nuclear, biological and chemical weapons that are used on a scale capable of killing people and/or causing infrastructural damage on a catastrophic scale. You are using a term that was stupidly borrowed by Senator Chucky Schumer (D/NY) back in the 90s prior to the ... last ... worthless, ill-advised and worthless gun control scheme.

[notliving4thisworld]

Most of the country knows that "Weapons of Mass Destruction" refers to nuclear, biological and chemical weapons---originally. But, now I think everyone agrees that it is metaphorical term pertaining to any kind of weapon that seeks out and kills volumes such as the Sandy Hook tragedy. It is a figure of speech, which is beside the point anyway. Call it whatever! Any kind of instrument being used with the intent to cause bodily harm to a group of people, in my book, is a weapon of mass destruction. No it doesn't take out infrastructure (although it easily closed down the Sandy Hook Elementary school building), but it destroys something way more substantial than brick and mortar. It destroys an innocent childs thinking that the world outside their front door is a safe place to be. That is a downright crying shame.

[KodeBloo]

From what I've read, they said this girl was not involved in gangs. Yet all the others she was standing there with when she was gunned down was.
I guess there's something to be said for "you're known by the company you keep."

[tmonta67]

Spare us your armchair morality. "From what I've read"...you might read the papers, but you know squat. Yet you dare to insinuate this girl's death was a justifiable case of death by association.

[Lyndia2]

Kodebloo, not all, perhaps and that is a big PERHAPS, some were. Regardless of who was there, that gave NOBODY the right to kill her.

[habusteve]

This starts from little on up.If parents have no respect for themselves then,they are unable to teach their children respect for others.It starts at home with the parents.

[sallychicago]

IN today's world, parents don't have control. Trust me, I know, I have friends who do the best they can, and the children are doing what they want. Children have a way to sneak around and lie to parents.