Bullfighter
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- Jun 10, 2010
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It was billed as a response to Jody Weis' trick meeting with gang leaders.
But the controversial gang press conference turned out to be an impassioned plea for jobs and opportunities for former gang members and inmates who say they can't find work.
The event, which took place at 5701 W. Jackson Boulevard on Chicago's West Side was organized by former gang enforcer Wallace 'Gator" Bradley, who was at the meeting with Weis, and community activist Jim Allen, a "free and accepted Almighty Minister" of the Vice Lords Nation.
He and other self-described "gang leaders" said threats from law enforcement officials will not stem the violence on the streets, only good paying jobs can do that.
"They say its about gangs, guns and drugs," Allen said. "We say it's about jobs, opportunities and contracts."
Late last month Police Superintendent Jody Weis held a clandestine meeting with a number of gang leaders. During the meeting Weis told the leaders his department would begin to pursue RICO statues against gang members who use violence against one another.
RICO statutes allow for law enforcement officials to seize property, including vehicles and real estate, belonging to suspects. It was originally used to take down Mafia affiliates.
The gang members at the rainy press conference said the threats won't change the behaviors of young gang members.
"They're giving us an ultimatum to "quit" instead of offering an alternative," Akeem Berry said.
Other gang leaders at the press conference expressed a measure of pride in their affiliations and said gangs are not the cause of the violence: drugs are.
"You keep saying gang violence. It's drug-related. It's not gang related. It's drug related," Akeem Berry said.
Read more at:
Gang Leaders Want Jobs - Local News - Chicago, IL - News - msnbc.com
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OK Mr Wallace "Gator" Bradley. What are your qualifications to work at McDonald's?
Have you ever used a broom before?
Scrubbed toilets?
Fried french fries?
Flipped a burger?
"Oh naw MAN! I wanna be Mayor of Chicago!"
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