CRS rang in Freedom Day early and boosted backing for the Free2Move Coalition’s campaign and their petition to end pretextual stops by canvassing at the June 15 Juneteenth Village Fest hosted by It Takes A Village Family of Schools. Check out photos from the fest here!

CRS and the North Lawndale community banded together on the West Side for an outreach initiative to reconfigure the Douglass Branch Library on June 8. In our labor, we sought to provide harmony and learning. Check out the event photos here!

On this Juneteenth, let’s honor our history by continuing our ancestors’ fight for freedom. Read our statement as we celebrate and build political power to ensure that Black liberation is a reality.

In honor of the Juneteenth holiday on June 19, join CRS in uplifting freedom for all! Check out this list of upcoming events happening in Chicago and Illinois.

Join CRS in celebrating love during Pride Month! Check out this list of upcoming PRIDE events happening in Chicago and Illinois.

This Memorial Day holiday, as CRS reflects on lives dedicated to service, moral courage, and the principles of justice, sacrifice, and human dignity, we do so against the backdrop of present-day wars, genocide, and a culture of violence that includes poverty and racism. We are beckoned to memorialize the peacekeepers of our past by being the change agents in this very hour of world suffering and unrest.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Sizer, founder and director of Peacemaker Trust and international coordinator for the 2024 Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center International Conference on Challenging Religious Extremism, published an article about the Church of England and Gaza. Read the complete article or summary conclusions here.

On May 14, 2024, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will introduce his seven appointees for the CCPSA to the City Council Committee on Police and Fire. In anticipation of this important milestone in the Commission selection process, the District Council Nominating Committee proudly presents its comprehensive process report. Read the report here.

CRS shares a powerful message from Zoughbi Zoughbi, president of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), concerning the sanctity of life and the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel. His words are a reminder of the fundamental value and dignity of every human being.

Ahead of our 2024 AMA in Jerusalem, CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton met with Rabbi Brant Rosen and Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister for a panel discussion on April 24 hosted by the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center to amplify injustices around the world. Read our summary from the event here.

Join CRS in the immediate call to action to demand a YES vote on the recognition of Palestine as a member state of the United Nations. The cause of Palestinian sovereignty and security is a matter of justice and rights, and every one of our voices must be uplifted and heard.

As CRS calls on transparent conversations about the Chicago Police Department’s use of excessive force in relationship to Black, Brown, and Indigenous people of our Beloved city, we share a list of traffic stop resources in partnership with the ACLU of Illinois.

In America, policing has almost become synonymous with Black death. The March 21 killing of Dexter Reed (26) in Chicago is yet another horrific example of the ways in which Black bodies are violently and fatally endangered when they come in contact with law enforcement. They can’t keep killing us. The excessive use of force must stop!

CRS remains in solidarity with Palestinians experiencing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and colonialism committed by the Israeli occupation. We urge you to get involved in a new call to action advocating against apartheid and violence in Gaza and demanding a boycott of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Learn more here.

As April ushers in the change of spring, CRS proudly joins the nation in acknowledging Second Chance Month! This designation holds profound significance for us as we champion just reentry and equitable opportunities for all. 

An ID program for migrants was held on March 29, stemming from an initiative to provide Chicago residents with a universally accepted government-issued identification, and serving as a reminder of the transformative power of inclusive policies and the enduring spirit of unity that defines the city’s identity.

Fair Housing Month is observed annually in April to commemorate the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968, which prohibits discrimination in housing. CRS fights for fair and equitable housing opportunities through advocacy, education, and resources. Discrimination and inequality still exist in housing, and the fight for fair housing continues.

Haiti has descended into a critical state of violence and chaos. More than one million children are living in areas under the influence of armed groups.

We are reminded of the profound message of hope and healing that lies at the heart of this sacred season, including observations of Ramadan, Passover and Easter — each respectively steeped in Abrahamic traditions. It is a time when we reflect upon the ultimate act of love and redemption — the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

While CRS continues to grieve Rev. Dr. Gay L. Byron’s passing in December 2023, we admire her leadership and celebrate her groundbreaking scholarship, ministry and teaching. Join us in honoring Rev. Byron and keeping her family and friends in our prayers.