Racial, ethnic groups build bridges at Chicago rally

Published: 2005-10-11

CHICAGO (CNS) -- Native Americans danced with African-Americans, Filipino children played instruments and Polish children sang, and Chicagoans from different neighborhoods sat together and enjoyed it all. The Oct. 1 Racial Justice Unity Rally offered Catholics from across the Chicago area a chance to celebrate the racial and ethnic diversity in the Archdiocese of Chicago with a variety of art forms, from drawings done by children at Catholic schools to various styles of music and dance. The rally, with the theme "Building Bridges and Uniting People," included an opening prayer by Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, a presentation by comedian and human rights activist Dick Gregory, and a closing prayer by Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry. "The sin, the crime, the tragedy, the horror of racism is not a good thing to rally around," Cardinal George said. "But it is a good thing to challenge us to take notice."

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