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Articles by Ira Acree
No, Mr. President, we are not apes - Austin Weekly News
I have lived long enough, preached long enough, and walked these streets long enough to know when America is moving forward — and when it is sliding backward. We have seen moments where this nation reached for its better angels, but we are also witnessing, in real time, a dangerous return to the darkest chapters of our racial history.
Faith leaders demand justice for teen killed on West Side
Ashuntice Wilburn had dreams of becoming a dental hygienist. The 17-year-old was just two days from returning to school for her senior year in high school when her her life came to a violent end. The Westmont teen was shot to death in Galewood Park Saturday. Ashuntice was one of 38 people shot this past weekend, seven of them fatally. So far in 2023, there have been 430 homicides and 2,035 shooting victims. “She helped me with all kinds of activities,” said her grandmother, Patty Ringo.
Rev. Acree’s thoughts on Jesse Jackson’s retirement
It’s been my greatest pleasure to sit at the feet of one of Dr. King’s top protégés and learn how to be an effective civil rights advocate. I was privileged to serve as the Rainbow Push west president in the early 2000s. Even in Rev. Jackson’s retirement his legacy continues through the scores of ministers that he taught how to use their pulpits to shape public policy. He’s personally invested so much in me, and I owe him a great debt of gratitude.
Church announces award in honor of slain member
It was election night in Chicago. All of the polls were closed, and results for the various municipal races were being tabulated and announced; candidates were delivering victory or concession speeches. About 9:25 pm, our city suffered the biggest loss of the night – it was the moment shots rang out in the 5500 block of West Le Moyne Street. Austin resident Tracey Showers was struck in the face and later pronounced dead at Loyola Hospital.
West Sider ministers offer condolences, prayers for Highland Park victims
assault weapons A 2 year-old left orphaned when his parents were murdered. A dedicated synagogue congregant and a grandfather visiting from Mexico left dead. An 8 year-old shot in the chest and likely paralyzed from the waist down. These are some of the victims of last week’s Independence Day shooting in Highland Park that killed seven people and wounded 38.
Letters - Austin Weekly News
West Side ministers are going to Buffalo to speak against white supremacy America’s gun violence is so out of control, we can’t even bury the victims of one mass shooting before we hear about the next shocking tragedy. Our nation is reeling from the 19 children and 2 adults who were killed at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24. Just 10 days earlier – on May 14 – 13 people were shot – 10 fatally – by a white supremacist at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
West Side ministers travel to Buffalo to speak against violence, white supremacy
Homepage Featured America’s gun violence is so out of control, we can’t even bury the victims of one mass shooting before we hear about the next shocking tragedy. Our nation is reeling from the 19 children and 2 adults who were killed at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24. Just 10 days earlier – on May 14 – 13 people were shot – 10 fatally – by a white supremacist at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. This is where Leaders Network Co-Chairs Rev. Ira J. Acree and Rev.
Missing Austin teen remembered more than a decade after her disappearance
Chicago Police Department It’s been nearly 14 years since 15-year-old honor student Yasmin Acree went missing from her Austin home, yet our family still has no answers regarding her whereabouts. Yasmin disappeared from her home on Jan. 15, 2008. My cousin, the now deceased Rose Mae Starnes, who was Yasmin’s adoptive mother, said at the time the teen had been abducted.
Police and community must partner to stop violence
Another bloody weekend in Chicago has left 10 people dead among 70 shooting victims. This brings our grim 2021 totals to 450 people murdered with 2,500 people shot. The gun violence isn’t limited to Chicago, with more than 14,000 people killed through gun violence across the United States so far this year. How did we get here? Violence isn’t a new problem, but there is no doubt that the isolation and marginalization of poor communities worsened during the pandemic.
Chicago is a tale of two cities, no matter what Rahm might say
It is incredulous that Mayor Rahm Emanuel would deny that Chicago is a tale of two cities. Everyone knows there are two Chicagos. One Chicago enjoys our sports teams, the variety of restaurants, world-class museums, our great theaters and special events, such as last weekend’s Air and Water Show. The other Chicago is left behind and disconnected from our city’s success.
LETTERS: Mayor should act quickly on police accountability report
As a pastor and advocate for police accountability, I was pleasantly surprised of the content in an online sneak preview of the findings of Mayor Emanuel's handpicked police accountability task force. I applaud them for their hard work and the due diligence employed over the last four months. This task force should be commended for courageously putting in writing the "butt naked" truth regarding the Chicago Police Department's racist practices against people of color.
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