Rally held after dozens of shootings in Chicago since the 4th of July holiday

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Roughly 40 people have been shot, with multiple dead in Chicago during the July 4th weekend. The violence prompted a rally Friday evening, in what Mayor Brandon Johnson said was to promote bonding, support and healing.

The rally was called "Operation Wake Up" and took place on the southside at 71st Place & Woodlawn Ave.

“The police department can not do this alone. We’ve been trying that for years,” Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said.

The rally, coming one day after multiple family members including two mothers and a child were killed by gunshots inside of a Grand Crossing area home.

“We will work our fingers to the bone, until we find these people,” Snelling said.

The Mayor's office released a statement saying Chicago Police will utilize officers whose days off for this weekend were already canceled to maximize police presence and ensure a quick response.

At least 19 of those shot were in mass shootings in Austin, Greater Grand Crossing and Little Italy.

Eight people were hurt in a shooting in Little Italy. Around six people were hurt when there was a shootout around 1:45 a.m. near Madison Street and Menard Avenue in the Austin neighborhood.

Minutes later, a 16-year-old girl was shot and critically wounded early Friday in a North Lawndale residential complex on the city’s West Side. About 1:40 a.m., she was in the 1200 block of South Central Park Avenue when someone shot her in the head, police said.

Last year, 11 people were killed and 62 others were wounded over July Fourth weekend.

Read the full statement from the Mayor’s office below:

We are devastated by the recent violence that has left our city in a state of grief and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities impacted by these recent events. The City of Chicago is committed to ensuring the safety

of all residents and visitors. In response, several measures are being implemented:

Chicago Police Department (CPD): CPD will utilize officers whose days off for this weekend were previously canceled to maximize presence and ensure prompt incident response.

Operation Wake Up: A community rally at 71st Place & Woodlawn Ave today, July 5 at 6:00 pm to promote bonding, support, and healing.

Emergency Services Assistance Center (ESAC): Activated on Tuesday, July 9 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fosco Park (1312 S. Racine Ave.) to provide emergency support services to community residents.

The City of Chicago is committed to taking every necessary step to work toward a safer city and to support our communities during these challenging times.

(WBBM's Sarah Herrera and The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.)

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