Parkland group on Road to Change tour join peace rally in Chicago

desensitized to it, the violence,” Bosley said. “And if you’re no longer caring about the violence, then you most likely don’t care about initiatives to stop the violence.”

Bosley said he is happy both the Parkland students and violence prevention organizers across the country have been able to meet, collaborate, and jointly advance their shared priorities.

The night was not without friction. A man who said he was from Joliet attended Friday’s event carrying a large “Make America Great Again” flag.

I’m here trying to engage with people,” the man said. “We’re all in this country together.”

As he spoke to a reporter, Malcolm London, 25, of Austin, snatched away the flag. After a brief exchange, the man from Joliet left, without his flag.

“Young black people die every day because of the symbolism of white nationalism that is Donald Trump,” said London, wearing the seized flag around his neck. “I refuse to be disrespected by calling his opinion a conversation.”

Others said they looked forward to more dialogue with those who shared their agenda for a safer city.

“If you’re about what I’m about, if you wanna change the world around you, come out,” said 14-year-old Onastashia Baker, who is part of the young woman’s mentoring group, Giving, Empowering, Mentoring, Self-identity (GEMS), which is run through St. Sabina.

Bosley said he attended the March for Our Lives in Washington D.C., on March 24 with a group that traveled 13 hours by bus there. “But I was so happy to be there,” he said.

On Friday, however, Chicago was the destination for youth activists, and Lemy said he was honored to meet Bosley and others.

“These kids have to live this reality everyday,” said Lemy, who was marking his first visit to Chicago. “This has been their world forever … We’d be doing out purpose an injustice if we didn’t include as many groups as possible.”