Funerals for anti-violence activist and 14 year old in Chicago brings out hundreds

While the mainstream news outlets were force feeding us with Donald Sterling, they seemed to completely overlook the shooting death of Leonore Draper, an anti-violence activist in Chicago who mas murder after leaving a rally that she herself organized. On Monday, hundreds turn out for her funeral as well as the funeral for a 14 year old who was recently killed over a disupute with her friend. The Chicago Tribune reports:

Endia Martin, 14, and anti-violence activist Leonore Draper were remembered today by family and friends.

Family and friends gathered midday today at St. Andrew’s Temple, 1743 W. Marquette Road, to mourn Endia, who was shot to death the afternoon of April 28 in the 900 block of West Garfield Boulevard.

A 14-year-old girl who prosecutors say was close friends with Endia until they fell out over a boy, and that girl’s uncle, Donnell Flora, 25, who is accused of supplying the weapon to her, are each charged with first-degree murder in Endia’s slaying. Four other people are charged in connection with the case. 

One of Endia’s cousins, Ricky Jacox, who attended her funeral, said the glorification of violence needs to end.

“We’re all asking the same question—when’s it going to stop? When are people going to learn from this and not showboat it and look at it as something to glorify,” Jacox tolf WGN-TV. “It’s really a problem going on.”

Services for Draper, shot April 25, were held midday at St.  Mark United Methodist Church, 8441 South Saint Lawrence Avenue. Police found Draper, 32, shot in the chest and arm in a parked car near her home in the 11600 block of South Laflin Street in the West Pullman neighborhood about 10:35 p.m. that day, about 30 minutes after the fundraiser she went to was over. She died early April 26. 
Police have said Draper was wounded in a possible drive-by shooting. No one is in custody in her slaying.