Community Activists Bring Message of Peace in Pilsen to the Streets

Within the year after her son, Jeff Abbey Maldonado, Jr., was mistakenly shot, Elizabeth Maldonado and her neighbors have become inspired to promote peace within her Pilsen community, by forming a grassroots organization named “Peace in Pilsen.”

Maldonado, along with neighbor Cecily Arroyo, Alderman Danny Solis and other neighborhood non-profits are organizing this Friday at the Plaza Tenochtitlan, in the heart of Pilsen’s Latino community. This gathering is a response to the special City Council meeting to be held Friday morning to vote on an ordinance regulating firearms.

City-wide and local community organizations anticipated in attendance will be: Service Employment Redevelopment (SER) Central States, Cease Fire, Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy, The Resurrection Project, Pro Arts Studio, San Procopio Church congregation, Pilsen Green Alliance, El Hogar del Nino, El Valor, along with over 100 community residents.

People wishing to attend the rally are encouraged to bring signs promoting the message of peace. For more information, search for “Peace in Pilsen” on Facebook.