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Laud Youths’ AbilityTo Maintai]DENYING CHARGES of attempted extortion made | against members of the Black-! stone Rangers gang, three ! Woodlawn businessmen have praised the youths for helping to maintain peace in Woodlawn during the rioting and looting which followed the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.The businessmen, who made their remarks during a press conference held at South East National Bank, 1180 E. 63rd St.,1 are: Marshall D. Stern, owner{antic ign’Mammoth Clean-Up Drive OnBY MARION B. CAMPFIELDTHE ENTIRE Woodlawn community has joined hands and is forging ahead in a gigantic cooperative effort to put “a bright and shiny face” on the area.Its determination to improve, upgrade and beautify was motivated by the Environmental Services Program of the Woodlawn Urban Progress Center, 1030 E. 63rd.DESCRIBED as a Crash Clean-up Campaign, the project launched Monday, April 22, will continue through May 31, according to Mrs. Marie Matthews, Environmental Program coordinator.ESP’s project to eradicate blight, decay and deterioration in the Woodlawn area, went into the planning stage as early fcs March 7, Mrs. Matthews revealed.••WE’RE IN an all out attack on littered, filthy streets, uncollected garbage, dirty alleys, vacant lots, abandoned cars, abandoned, dilapidated, deteriorating buildings.“In addition, buildings identified by UPC representatves, classified as dangerous and hazardous by the Department of Building Inspectors and Jim Ellis, assistant director, Environmental Services division, also will come under our scrutiny and vigorous action,” sheTHE CAMPAIGN has the full cooperation of Mayor Daley’s Clean-Up committee, the Chicago police department, the Bureau of Streets and Sanitation, the Chicago fire department, block clubs, aldermen, ward committeemen, ministers and merchants.Ed Lightburn, Bureau of Streets and Sanitation, has hw»n assigned to the Center fora Peaceof Universal Army Store, 1364 E. 63rd st., and president of Woodlawn Businessmen’s Association;ALSO, SAM FRIEDMAN,owner of a shoe store at 6735 Stony Island, and president of Jackson Park Businessmen’s Association; and Silas J. Thomas, owner of Lefel Rexall Drug Store, 1323 E. 63rd st., and vice-president of Woodlawn Businessmen’s Association.Charges stemmed from reports that several youth had demanded “protection” money from some area businessmen during the tense period after Dr. King’s assassination.ADMITTING that “there were a few cases of exortiom” Stern said “but these were individuals taking advantage of a tense situation.” He added:“As far as blaming these acts on a gang, I think that’s totally unfounded.” REPORTEDLY, three youth were arrested for allegedly demanding $25 and $35 payment from merchants to keep from breaking into and looting their respective stores. Although none of the merchants signed extortion complaints against the youth, the reputed offenders are scheduled to appear in Court April 30.Discussing the cases, Comdr. William Griffin of Grand Crossing Police District said he was satisfied none of the boys apprehended are members of the Blackstone Rangers gang. Strengthening Griffin’s position, Deputy Police Superintendent John Mulchrone stated:“WE DON’T have evidence that indicates that this alleged shakedown racket is being run by the Blackstone Rangers.” However, viewing the incidents in a different light, Father Tracy O’Sullivan of St. Cyril Church, 6428 Dante said: “It appears the police want the gangs to engage in some criminal activity so they would have justification for arresting them.”CITING THE manner in which the Rangers have maintained peace in the area after having negotiated a peace pact with their arch rivals, the Disciples, Father Tracy said :“The youths really delivered, and this attack by the police was the thanks they got.” EXPRESSING FAITH in the Rangers to go “straight,” Silas J. Thomas emphasized: “Idon’t think there’s any validity to those extortion rumors. I know nothing of any attempts to extort money by the Rangers.”Many persons agree with last week’s Shifting Scenes” “RANGERS-DISCIPLES IN NEW NON-VIOLENT ROLE,” which stated, in part: ‘•....DURING a period of unreason, the Blackstone Ranger Conservatives and the East-side Disciples, were able to make more sense than their so-called elders.“Not only did they adopt a non-violence plank, but they also patrolled the Woodlawn and Hyde Park areas, as well as distributed emergency food rations.”
Newspaper Details
Chicago Woodlawn Booster
Chicago, Illinois, US
Tue, Apr 23, 1968
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 19 Aug 2023
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