Chicago's Anti-Violence Movement Hits A Snag When Three Workers Are Charged With Felony Weapons Charges While On Bail For Felony Weapons Charges

The past few days have been extra perplexing. At least three men who are supposedly working to end gun violence in Chicago were charged with illegally carrying guns this week while they were already on bond for other felony gun cases. One of the men’s pending cases includes allegations that he shot at two people.

When Sendalio Williams, 25, appeared before Judge John Lyke on Saturday afternoon, it was the second time in four months that he stood in front of the same judge on a new gun charge. Prosecutors said cops watching a CPD surveillance camera feed Friday saw Williams pull a handgun out of a satchel and point it at a woman who appeared to be recording him on her phone.

Prosecutors said officers went to the scene, chased Williams, and found a loaded gun in his satchel.

A headline so Chicago it feels like an artificial intelligence generated mad libs. 

They say it's hard to find good help these days. Apparently it is even harder to find help that doesn't have multiple felony weapons charges. Call me crazy, but I think this is something that should've been resolved with a background check. Apparently these guys just walked in and said "we want to get all the guns...off the streets. Yeah gotta get the guns...out of the hands of (other) people". 

Getting a job with the anti-gun violence coalition is apparently the easiest interview process in the City. 

Have you ever owned a gun?

Mr Williams:

Do you currently have a gun in your possession right now?

Mr Williams:

Are you currently facing any weapons charges?

Mr Williams:

"You're hired! I mean who knows more about guns on the streets than guys who have been arrested on multiple weapons charges!?"

I don't know what the answer is to this problem, but it does feel like things are getting worse in Chicago. More violence and more crime in more areas. I don't think that is a figment of our imagination or the media over dramatizing the situation for political or financial reasons. We need to properly vet people before we grant them jobs and expect chance. No, not the anti-violence group. The mayor and the state's attorney. Hand up. That's on us. We fucked those up. Need to get it right next time.