ENGLEWOOD — Chicago Barbers will join together for the first Barbershop Cease Fire Movement Sunday to promote peace and give free haircuts.
The gathering will be at the Ogden Park track arena, 6500 S. Racine, Sunday from 10 a.m-5 p.m.
The barbers are coming out "to stand up for their communities and promote the leaders, shot callers, and the youth of the gangs to stop the violence in Chicago and their cities," organizers of the event posted online.
"These are barbers that will no longer tolerate the violence that is happening in their communities."
There will be free food, games, special appearances, free haircuts and more for attendees. The event is sponsored by the Resident Association of Greater Englewood, Ald. Toni Foulkes (16th), Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), Ald. David Moore (17th), Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), A to B Rentals and Chicago Portable Power.
All of the area's barber schools have been invited. The invitation is open to both students and licensed barbers, as well as the community.
The free haircuts are for kids age 7 to 17, and for seniors.
Powell's Barbershop's Sunni Powell said that after the shooting that happened in May at his shop, 1139 W. 63rd St. he knew he needed to do something. With the $9,000 he was able to raise from a GoFundMe started in his shop's name, he was able to fix up the business, buy new stations and plan Sunday's event.
He said he felt compelled and inspired to do something after watching "Barbershop The Next Cut."
"I said that we are going to start standing up and speak to the men who sit in our chairs," he said. "We are counselors and peace makers and we need to regain that. I want to use this as a movement to reclaim the position as the pillar of the community."
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
