On January 1st, 2013, Barack Obama was sworn in to his second term as president, with an inauguration celebration that featured entertainment ranging from Beyoncé to the King College Prep marching band. In his inaugural address, President Obama described the work that must be done, which includes ensuring that every child, “from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are … always safe from harm.”
Twenty-eight days after performing in the inauguration, fifteen-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed, emphasizing the importance of the president’s goal. She had been the drum majorette of the King College Prep marching band, as well as an honor student and volleyball player. Due to midterms, Hadiya had been released early from school, and was escaping the rain under a canopy in the park with her friends. A gunman approached and opened fire, shooting Hadiya in the back and another teen in the foot.
Dozens of Chicago students marched in Hadiya’s honor on February 4, walking from her school to a rally at the park where she was shot. James and Jordyn Willis, the main organizers of the protest, held the rally together as police attempted to send the students back to school. Inspired by Hadiya, the Willis siblings have a six point plan to curb gun violence in Chicago, which includes creating approximately 4,000 more jobs for youth and implementing a youth ambassador program teaching students to go to the police when they witness crimes.
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