Latest news with #MichaelPfleger
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Miami Herald
Shooting injures 7 at gathering near church, IL cops say. ‘This is personal'
Several people were hospitalized after a gunman opened fire on a late-night gathering across the street from a Catholic school, Illinois police said. Seven males between the ages of 17 and 19 were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds on May 31, Chicago police said. One is in serious condition with gunshot wounds to the chest and leg, while the other six are in fair condition, police said. 'I am angry. I'm disgusted. I'm hurt, and I'm mad,' St. Sabina senior pastor the Rev. Michael Pfleger said in a video. Police were dispersing the crowd of young people when a person driving by shot at the group just 'steps away' from St. Sabina Catholic Church on the city's South Side, police and Pfleger said. The pastor, whose church is two weeks away from hosting a peace rally in the community, is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of those involved in the drive-by shooting. 'This is personal to me,' he said in a video. He added, 'I want the people in that car caught. I want them in jail.' Pfleger's message to the community acknowledged gun violence in the community. In a video, Pfleger said it is parents' responsibility to know where their children are and keep them safe. He also left a message for young people, telling them they are 'too valuable' to put their lives at risk. 'And stop carrying around all these guns,' he said. 'When are we going to wake up from this damn gun culture?' Police said no one is in custody and detectives are investigating.
Chicago Tribune
01-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
‘This is personal': 7 teens wounded in drive-by shooting in Auburn Gresham after St. Sabina graduation party
Chicago police said seven teens were wounded in an overnight shooting at a large gathering in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood after a St. Sabina graduation party, drawing an angry statement from the church's longtime leader, Father Michael Pfleger,Shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday, officers on patrol in the 1200 block of West 78th Street were trying to disperse a large crowd when a vehicle drove by and someone opened fire. Seven teens were shot before the vehicle fled the scene, police said. Officers located multiple victims shot in an alley in the 1200 block of west 78th Street who were initially uncooperative, according to a police report. Victims later said that they were leaving a graduation party at St. Sabina Church when three to four people with ski masks exited a black SUV and started shooting. A neighbor also told officers that they saw a person step out of a dark colored SUV and shoot at the victims who were on the sidewalk. Officers located a rifle found underneath a car and multiple shell casings were also found on the block, according to a police report. 'I'm angry, I'm mad, and I'm disgusted,' Pfleger said in a video on Facebook. 'This is not something you can solve by more programming, more police, by SNAP Curfew, none of that stuff can stop this. 2 o'clock in the morning what's gonna stop this is parents saying 'Where the hell are your kids?'' Pfleger in his statement urged parents to make sure they always know where their kids are, for young people to make wiser choices about what they post on social media and for people stop carrying around guns and embracing gun culture. 'This is personal. This is an attack on St. Sabina. This is an attack on me personally. This is an attack on everything we stand for,' Pfleger said. Pfleger said that he is planning to offer a $10,000 dollar reward to anyone who catches the suspects of the shooting. He is advising anyone with information on the shooting to call either the police at 312-745-3610 or 773-483-4300 Teens ranging in age from 17 to 19 were taken to area hospitals. No one was in custody for the drive-by shooting, and detectives were investigating. The incident also comes about two weeks before St. Sabina is scheduled to do their peace walks, where St. Sabina parishioners walk through the neighborhood every Friday during the summer to prevent gun violence. The walk includes passing out information about social services and job opportunities, among other resources. The first march is scheduled for June 13 at 7 p.m.
Chicago Tribune
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: The Rev. Michael Pfleger's political stand is ironic and hypocritical
Regarding the op-ed 'Why is St. Sabina flying the US flag upside down? America is in distress' (Feb. 26): Does anyone see the irony — or is it hypocrisy — in the Rev. Michael Pfleger criticizing President Donald Trump and comparing his administration to Nazi Germany? Unlike the good father, at least Trump was elected by those he serves. Pfleger is best at street theater, and this is another example. Fortunately, Trump doesn't care, and if allowed, he will do more to help the St. Sabina community — such as reducing crime and increasing opportunity — than our one-party city and state can or has. That's the biggest irony. One thing that approaches an autocracy in American government is the Democratic Party's stranglehold on Chicago and America's largest cities, which explains their common suffering. — William Choslovsky, Chicago We can't stand aside The Catholic Church is alive! Finally, a Catholic priest has addressed the destruction of democracy. For weeks, Sunday sermons in Catholic churches have tap-danced around the inhumane issues of the day, and have encouraged parishioners to 'Gaudete' — to have hope, to love one another. Each of these approaches is good, but they aren't getting to the heart of the matter when the soul of America is in jeopardy. By enumerating the many merciless changes in our government since January, the Rev. Michael Pleger is not making a political pitch. He is only summarizing the events that are changing the lives of so many people and asking everyone to respond to them. Many churches serve all groups — regardless of religious affiliation — with food, shelter, housing and care for those in need. But Pfleger admonishes us that this is not enough. We cannot stand aside and silently witness the despicable treatment of immigrants, the poor, the homeless and government workers. We need to get our government officials involved. Pfleger's plea is a call for church and state to work together to preserve the spirit of our nation so that our flag can fly honorably in the sun. Together, we can. — Mary Ann McGinley, Wilmette Desecrating grounds Last Sunday was the anniversary of the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, 80 years ago by United States Marines. Many of the Marines on Iwo Jima died in combat serving our country. How could the Chicago Archdiocese allow the Rev. Michael Pfleger to desecrate sacred parish grounds built on American soil and off the sweat of immigrants? Did he consider the men of faith from St. Sabina Catholic Church who died serving our country, from World War II to Afghanistan? He can hang his flag upside down at his home. St. Sabina's belongs to all of us who worship Christ and the American flag. — Patrick J. Madden, Tinley Park Spread act of protest Bravo to St. Sabina Catholic Church and the Rev. Michael Pfleger for flying the U.S. flag upside down in front of their church as a symbol of emergency in order to proclaim that America is in distress. I think that is such a beautiful and perfectly apt act of protest by this church — and I wish many more churches and institutions and people would do the same thing. In my mind, I can imagine upside-down flags flying all over America in protest — planting a flag, so to speak, and saying that what is happening in our country is horribly, unconscionably and heartbreakingly wrong, and we do not support it! — Victoria Young, DeKalb Priest failing at duty I don't need another person, especially a priest, creating an anti-government climate. A church is supposed to be a nondivisive setting. Perhaps the Rev. Michael Pfleger should be told by his superiors to either refrain or to step down. Why is he concerning himself with political issues? Isn't a priest's main goal to lead lost souls to the Lord and not cause the flock to go astray? Pfleger might want to read Matthew 22:21 and take more time to pray for the pope's health instead of inciting anxiety and confusion in his followers. — Christopher Gomez, Chicago US flag outside church Why does St. Sabina Catholic Church even have an American flag on its property? — Marty Malone, Chicago Recall power needed In response to the op-ed by state Rep. Kam Buckner regarding a city charter for Chicago and mayoral recall, the urgent need for mayoral recall in Chicago cannot be overstated ('A city charter is the reform Chicago actually needs, not recall powers,' Feb. 23). Without this mechanism, residents are left powerless against serious misconduct. At Recall This Fall, I highlight, with the counsel of former Gov. Pat Quinn, that some Midwestern states allow voters to recall their mayors, while Illinois remains stuck in the past. The Illinois Constitution provides a pathway for home rule municipalities to adopt recall ordinances, yet Chicago has failed to act. This must change immediately for the good of all Chicagoans. Some, like Buckner, dismiss recalls as disruptive. However, recalls are crucial for holding elected officials accountable. When leaders betray public trust, voters must have the power to demand change. The push for a recall is about ensuring transparency and integrity in our government. Let Illinois HB1084 have its day in court by allowing hearings and a vote in the General Assembly. Implementing a recall mechanism would not cost taxpayers extra, as elections can align with existing schedules. Rather than being disruptive, it could unite Chicagoans in a demand for better governance, prioritizing citizens over powerful interests such as the Chicago Teachers Union or Cook County Democrats. A recall law sends a strong message: Mayors must serve the public diligently or face the consequences. Just as shareholders can remove a failing CEO, Chicagoans deserve the right to replace ineffective leadership. Now is the time for action. We must assert our right to recall our mayor and regain control over the future of our city. — Daniel Boland, executive director, Committee for Chicago Mayor Recall 'Progressive' incorrect I think it is wrong to label Mayor Brandon Johnson as a progressive. His policies are not progressive in the sense that I understand the word. Labeling Johnson progressive is far too positive and actually demeans the concept. — Allen Schwartz, Chicago Dangerous conflation The editorial about the puppet at the Chicago Cultural Center opens up a new, and dangerous, conflation ('Antisemitic fears in Chicago coalesce around a controversial puppet,' Feb. 19). The Tribune Editorial Board indicates that 'blood on your hands' is an antisemitic trope. I could find no instance online in which that expression was particular to Jews or Judaism. As an non-Jewish, American taxpayer, I do have the blood of 48,000 Palestinians on my hands because I helped pay for the bombs that killed them all and that maimed many, many more. I would suggest that the many Jews and gentiles who oppose the war in Gaza, as well as the 23 aldermen who didn't sign Ald. Debra Silverstein's letter, might not like being labelled antisemitic.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chicago pastor protests Trump administration with upside-down American flag
The Brief Chicago pastor Father Michael Pfleger protested the Trump administration by hanging an upside-down American flag outside his church. The move symbolizes a nation in distress, according to Pfleger. He criticized recent policies, including changes to Medicaid, Medicare, education, and gun laws. CHICAGO - A well-known Chicago pastor is publicly criticizing former President Donald Trump and his administration, calling recent policy decisions harmful to the country. What we know On Monday, Father Michael Pfleger of Saint Sabina's Church in Chicago took his long-standing criticism of Trump a step further by hanging the American flag upside down outside the church. The distress signal was meant to highlight what he sees as dangerous shifts in policy under the administration. Pfleger listed several issues behind his protest. "And declaring a takeover, an ethnic cleansing of Gaza, putting Medicaid and Medicare at risk, shutting down the Department of Education, ending DEI, banning Black history, unraveling gun laws and blaming Ukraine for a war when Russia invaded them," Pfleger said. "Giving a billionaire citizen total access to government and to American citizens confidential information. These are only the beginnings of a long list of why America is in distress." What's next Pfleger says he will continue to speak out against policies he believes are harmful, using his pulpit and activism to push for change.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
St. Sabina to raise American flag upside down Monday in protest
CHICAGO — Father Michael Pfleger announced that St. Sabina will raise an American flag upside down Monday to protest the Trump administration. The protest is a sign that 'America is in a State of Emergency,' according to Pfleger. It takes place at 11 a.m. in front of St. Sabina, located at 78th and Throop. 'While Medicare is at risk, thousands of government workers are being fired, the Department of Education is being eradicated, African, Haitian, Venezuelan, and Mexican individuals are being identified as criminals and scooped up like animals to be deported, a billionaire citizen has been given total access to U.S. citizens private information, an ethnic cleansing is being called for in Gaza, and countless other programs and individuals lives are at risk, America is in distress and in a State of Emergency. We will raise the flag upside down as a symbol of it and call others to do the same,' Pfleger wrote in the press release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
