ENGLEWOOD— Asiaha Butler, co-founder and president of Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) experienced two shootings on her block in Englewood in less than 48 hours.Despite the violence, she remains confident she can change the perception of her neighborhood.
Around 11:35 p.m. June 27, Alfondia Kelly, 44, was killed and a woman was wounded while they were barbecuing in a vacant lot on the block, said Officer Laura Amezaga, a Chicago Police spokeswoman.
Butler was on her porch with a friend in the 6600 block of South Union Avenue when she heard the gunshots.
“I have heard gunshots before, but never witnessed a person dying before my eyes. It was devastating to see,” Butler said. ""We tried to get down there to the family down the block but we could tell that he wasn't alive."
The next day, a 67-year-old man was shot in the 700 block of West 66th Street, said Officer Kevin Quaid, a Chicago Police spokesman.
Butler said her daughter no longer feels safe in the neighborhood.
"It's so disheartening to have two crime scenes in our neighborhood. My daughter fears for our safety," Butler said. "I'm just as traumatized as she was. I feel uneasy being on the block."
Butler, who has lived in Englewood since she was 17, said that she won't give up on the neighborhood.
"We assured our daughter that we will never be run out of our home," Butler said. "My husband told my daughter that we will do everything possible to create peace on our block. If we want to see change, we have to keep fighting."
For the past four years, Butler's group has hosted peace-in-the-park events called the “So Fresh Saturdays” Tour.
From 3-7 p.m. July 16, So Fresh Saturdays’ third stop will be at Hermitage Park, 5839 South Wood St. The tours are meant to encourage residents to utilize parks and to reclaim them in the name of peace.
Butler said the tours have grown in popularity over the years, which has inspired Englewood residents to get involved with the community.
"I think that people's perception about the neighborhood has changed. If anything, we uplifted a safe place that people can come out and hang out in," Butler said. "More people are invested in what happens in the community. The momentum to spark change is definitely there."
Butler told DNAinfo the tours will continue despite the recent shootings.
“After spending the whole day in the park standing for peace, I was very discouraged to learn about the shooting when I returned and wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep the tour going," Butler said. "I'm not going to let it affect me. There's been challenges in this neighborhood in the past and I don't want to give up."
Butler also has advice for those who want to give up on Englewood.
"We will never have change in Chicago if residents just gave up due to an incident," Butler said. "We need more residents to stand up and take action."
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