Students of all ages and community members marched down Chicago Avenue in Austin on a Saturday for the annual “Say No to Drugs Anti-Violence Parade,” highlighting positive youth involvement and grassroots peace initiatives on Chicago’s West Side. The 38th annual procession brought together local advocacy groups, elected leaders, and neighborhood residents to promote community solidarity and positive alternatives for young people during the summer months.
The event put the spotlight on the constructive ways teens across the West Side participate in neighborhood life, featuring performances and participation from marching bands, drill teams, and dance squads.
“We’re trying to create an environment that shows you have people here supporting you,” said Aaron Fite, a junior at Kenwood Academy High School. Fite emphasized that showcasing positive youth contributions remains an essential part of addressing broader safety concerns during the summer season. “There’s a lot of things we want to do, a lot of stories we want to tell, so just to have that is powerful,” he added.
Honoring Decades of Public Service in Illinois
Before the parade stepped off from its starting point, organizers presented a Lifetime Service Award to retiring Congressman Danny Davis, who represents Illinois’ 7th Congressional District. Davis has maintained a lengthy career in public office, with his official legislative and community service spanning nearly five decades.
“My heart is imbued with appreciation,” Davis said after receiving the recognition from local leaders and community institutions.
The 38th annual march was presented collaboratively by the Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute and the Healing Temple COGIC Church. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined community members at the front of the procession alongside international representatives participating in a global peace relay.
Global Peace Relay Makes Chicago Stop
The marchers were joined by representatives from the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, who made a scheduled stop in Chicago as part of an expansive North American relay.
“We’re here today as part of a relay that started actually in New York,” said Salil Wilson, executive director of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run. “It’s a 10,000-mile relay through all 50 states this year to celebrate the fact that peace begins in the heart of each one of us.”
For nearly four decades, the Austin parade has served as a fixture for West Side residents seeking to demonstrate collective resolve against drug use and neighborhood violence.
Community Engagement and Future Outlook
Dozens of local advocacy organizations and neighborhood groups participated in the Saturday procession, distributing resources and sharing information on youth development programs available throughout Chicago’s West Side.
Worth a look