Webster Elementary in Garfield Park holds peace walk to honor victims of gun violence
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Young people are making a statement by stepping out of the classrooms to speak up against gun violence.
On Wednesday, Daniel Webster Elementary School students led a peace march in the North Lawndale neighborhood. The march happened around 9:30 a.m.
It was to honor the lives of community members who've been lost to violence.
The school's 220 students along with their teachers walked from the school down Keeler to Roosevelt Road, and then back on Pulaski.
This is the third year the school has held the peace walk.
It started in 2021 in response to the death of an 8th grader at the school.
"They are very personally impacted by the gun violence in the community," said Nilufar Rezai, counselor. "Having friends and family that are affected by it and they feel very strongly that this is something we need to speak out against so that we can make a change in the neighborhood."
"I think they have to be agents of change and that's what we're doing with this march. They are advocating for change within their community," said Principal Khalid Oluewu.
The fight against violence doesn't end with today's peace march.
We're told Webster Elementary School's student-led anti-violence youth committee is working with the Chicago Park District to create a monument garden to honor the lives of young people lost to gun violence.
