'Black Lives Will Never Matter Until They First Matter To Us': Evans

JOLIET, IL — At Friday evening's prayer vigil and balloon launch for Joliet's 16-year-old murder victim, Antoine Shropshire, Joliet Bishop Steven Evans delivered a powerful message to the more than 150 people who gathered under the shade tree at the Warren Sharpe playground in the 400 block of South Joliet Street.

Evans serves as bishop and pastor at Leap Of Faith Ministries, 1220 Richards Street.

Antoine was killed in the street near the playground equipment on Tuesday evening before it was dark. On Saturday, Joliet police released multiple photos of two young men wanted for questioning in Antoine's killing. So far, no arrests have been made.

Evans began his four minutes of remarks by telling everyone that he struggled whether he should be at the prayer vigil.

"Not because I struggle with being here for the family, because I am a part of this family. And it wasn't because I struggled with saying a word to my people because I love my people. Not even because I had to struggle to be here in this neighborhood. I was born and raised in this neighborhood, right on Water Street and later Munroe.

"But I struggled because, I struggled because, it seems to me that if we were to engage in more of an outpouring of love, such as we have today, if we engaged in the kind of the dialogue that we are having today, and if we engage more in the kind of family support that we are engaging in here today, I submit to you that we might not have to be here right now, and this 16-year-old kid might still be alive."

At that moment, Evans raised his voice and lifted his walking cane off the ground.

"Black lives will never matter until they first matter to us," Evans declared. "In this community, there are numerous guns ... there may even be some out here right now. But what I want you to understand is this: I think his mother said it well. Young people, these streets don't love. These streets ain't loyal. If you want to see true love, look into the eyes of that mother. And you will see true love.

"I'll tell you what these streets do love about you, two things: either the penitentiary or the grave. That's it. And here's my final comment, who's next? Will it be that young lady right there? Will it be you? Will it be me?

"Listen, I'm tired of coming to prayer vigils. I'm tired. This is not getting us anywhere. We need to do something and again I echo what I just heard, it is incumbent upon us as church leaders, political leaders, community activists, to get more visible, to get more vocal. We need to get out here and make some noise. We shouldn't have to wait until something like this happens before we come together to make some noise. Too little is too late. Whatever we're going to do, we better do it now.

"I don't want to be next. Anybody that wants to be next, raise your hand. Anybody that wants to be in this lady's position, please, raise your hand."

Evans made those comments as he pointed toward Antoine's mother, who stood just a few feet away from him.

While most of the crowd gathered close to Evans were adults, there were lots of teenagers watching from a distance as they stood around the playground equipment.

"You young folks. This is not a game. This is not a game. This is real life business right here. And I'm going to say this, and I'm really done. When you make a decision to leave your house, gunned up, you don't put that gun on you because you think you might have to defend yourself against them racist white people.

"You don't put that gun on you because you think you might have an encounter with some racist law enforcement officials. You know why you put a gun on you? Because you think you're going to have to defend yourself against your own people. We carry guns so we can kill each other. That's it. If you love to kill somebody, join the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines. They train you, pay you and give you all the weaponry you need. If you really want to be tough, go to war. Stop the war right here! Stop the violence and stop the killing! That's all I have to say."

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Video: Can You Help Joliet Police Solve Antoine's Murder?

Prayer Vigil For Joliet Murder Victim Draws 150, Mayor D'Arcy

Murder In Joliet: 16-Year-Old Boy Dies From Multiple Gunshots