
Action Now's vigil with Alderman Toni Foulkes, religious leaders and community members
Action Now members held a candlelight vigil on February 28th with other Englewood residents, religious leaders and Alderman Toni Foulkes for the 13 year old girl that was raped while walking to school in West Englewood.
On February 21st, 2012 at 8:45 a.m. a 13-year-old girl was held at gunpoint and raped in an alley on the 5900 block of South Wood St. The young girl was pulled into the alley and then was assaulted in the gangway between two vacant buildings. This rape occurred two blocks away from the girl’s school, Earle Elementary, at 61st and Hermitage Ave.

Vacant properties on the 5900 block of South Wood Street in West Englewood
This crime highlights two major issues plaguing the West Englewood community: the lack of safety for children who walk to and from school, and the large number of unsecured vacant buildings near schools. The Safe Passages Ordinance, currently in the Buildings Committee, addresses both of these problems by requiring that there be watchmen stationed at vacant buildings within 1,000 yards of a school. If the Safe Passages Ordinance had been passed and enforced, there would have been watchmen at the vacant buildings where the rape occurred, and this crime would not have happened.

Action Now member Pastor Joseph Kyle praying at the site of the crime
Action Now has been advocating for the Safe Passages Watchman Ordinance, but it has yet to be voted on by the City Council. Action Now members had hoped that it would be passed to prevent assault against children, but the delay has led to yet another horrible crime against a child that should have been protected.
Also, call your Alderman and tell them you support the ordinance and they should too!
Press coverage:
CBS News, “Activists Rally To Support 13-Year-Old Rape Victim In Englewood” (video of vigil)
Univision, “Realizan vigilia tras violación de menor”
ABC News, “Vigil held for sex assault victim in West Englewood”

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