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Pfleger vows to take blue lights nationwide

Saint Sabina’s Father Michael L. Pfleger lateFriday night proudly stood outside of Soldier Field after joining Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel in lighting the historic building with blue lights in honor of his mentor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It was on July 10, 1966 that Dr. King, Al Raby and other civil rights leaders led the Chicago Freedom Movement, also known as the Chicago Open Housing movement, where they demanded open and fair housing, equal education, transportation, jobs access to health, wealth, a fair judicial system and equal opportunity to life in Chicago. Numerous marches sprung from this rally.

Ironically, it was on August 5, 1966 at the Marquette fair housing rally led by Dr. King that then teenager Pfleger watched in horror as his neighbors threw rocks, bottles and spat on Dr. King.

While very upset at the protesters who clearly didn’t want King in their neighborhood, Pfleger marveled at the courage of Dr.King who was struck by a stone, fell but never fought back or used foul language. King’s maintaining peace in the midst of a very dangerous march was the reason why Pfleger became a priest and a role model as a peacemaker.

That is why four-years ago, Pfleger launched his blue lights for peace campaign initially aimed at the NRA which is flooding the nation with guns including marketing them to women and children.

Today, the blue lights can be seen on Chicago’s downtown buildings, at Soldier Field where Dr. King launched his Chicago Open House movement and in Atlanta at the King Center. It is Pfleger’s goal to take this blue lights peace initiative nationwide.