Gun Violence in Chicago During 2025 Labor Day Weekend
During the Labor Day weekend of 2025, Chicago faced a troubling surge in gun violence, resulting in at least nine fatalities and 52 injuries. Among those impacted was 18-year-old Morgan Alanis, who experienced gunfire in a small village area, alongside a 63-year-old man from Dusable Port. Most incidents took place in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods, yet the public response to this crisis appears muted.
Activists, including those from Black Lives Matter—who previously galvanized nationwide protests following George Floyd’s death—have, interestingly, refrained from voicing their support for the victims of this violence. Instead, these activists, who see themselves as the moral compass of America, have taken to the streets to protest President Donald Trump’s suggestion to deploy the National Guard in an effort to curb the violence.
In a heated exchange with the media, Trump remarked, “It’s not war, it’s common sense,” regarding the conditions in Chicago.
Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized the protesters, framing their actions as an infringement on local sovereignty while igniting historical grievances. He passionately questioned, “Are you ready to protect this land built by slaves, a land built by indigenous people?”
Filmmaker Eli Steele shared his thoughts on social media, suggesting that Mayor Johnson’s reliance on racial politics is problematic. Steele pointed out that prioritizing racial narratives over tangible solutions doesn’t address the real issues at hand.
This tendency to respond selectively based on race isn’t new. The outpouring of anger after Floyd’s death starkly contrasts with the relative silence surrounding violence within the community itself. Data from the Chicago Police Department indicates that over 80% of murder victims and suspects in the city are Black, which raises questions about the different responses to these situations based on racial dynamics.
It leads one to ponder: How many more lives will be lost? The reality is that acknowledging the true state of affairs is crucial if we want to move forward.
While I typically lean towards small government principles and am generally against federal intervention, the question remains. When a grieving mother seeks answers about her child’s untimely death, it becomes difficult to provide comfort when she asks, “When will this murder stop?”
Although I take pride in the work my Project Hood Violence Impact Team is doing in my South Side neighborhood, the suffering resonates deeply. If outside forces are necessary to intervene and detain criminals, then perhaps that’s where we are. Listening to local leaders and protesters doesn’t seem effective at this point.
It’s essential that residents of Chicago—whether from Little Village or Bronzeville—receive solutions grounded in reality, not just rhetoric driven by political agendas. To foster a safer future for everyone, it’s vital to address criminal behavior directly and effectively.
