Rhymefest is taking part in a public vigil in order to remember those who have lost their lives to gun violence in Chicago. Last month, it was reported that the city had already seen over 500 gun-related deaths (and over 3,000 total shootings). August was the city's most violent month in 20 years. He hopes the ceremony will inspire people from all over Chicago -- especially those not typically included in the conversation -- to address the crisis. The vigil takes place at 5PM today in Lincoln Park, an affluent area in the north side of the city that sees little to no gun violence.
As a guest on Windy City LIVE, Rhymefest explained that there are "too many walls and not enough bridges" in Chicago, which is why the upcoming vigil will take place at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church. "It's time that we start being solution based in areas other than just the south and the west sides of Chicago," he said, "because all of Chicago is suffering from trauma."
He began the interview speaking on how he doesn't consider himself an activist; instead, he hopes to use his platform to help give people "agency to take control of their own lives." Rhymefest was robbed at gunpoint at the end of August. He tells the daytime talk show hosts about his initial hesitancy to report the crime. When he did decide to go to the police station, he was treated with rudeness and distrust and was eventually told to leave without any report. The Chicago Police Communication's Director apologized to Rhymefest, who had filmed part of his encounter with police and shared it on Twitter with the caption, "You wonder we don't report crimes? The police treated me disgustingly."
The interview also touches on Rhymefest's planned "Truth & Reconciliation" event series, which he hopes will act as "citywide therapy sessions" for Chicago.
The vigil will be held on Sunday, Oct. 9 at the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 600 West Fullerton Parkway, at 5PM CT.
