Angel families, joined by public safety advocate Gianno Caldwell, are planning a march in Chicago to protest policies they assert have contributed to rising violent crime and devastating losses. The demonstration is set to begin at Morgan Park High School, the same neighborhood where Caldwell's brother, Christian, was murdered four years prior.
Caldwell, whose brother was killed in Chicago, has become a vocal proponent for public safety and is using the anniversary of his death to highlight what he describes as the consequences of "soft-on-crime" policies. He contends that sanctuary city policies, the elimination of cash bail, and elected officials prioritizing criminals over the public have transformed cities into places with "broken promises."
According to notes from the event, the march aims to draw attention to the impact of these policies on families who have lost loved ones to violent crime. Caldwell specifically cites the SAFE-T Act in Illinois, which he states allows judges discretion to release violent offenders without cash bail, as a contributing factor. He points to statistics indicating an increase in homicides and shootings in Chicago during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
The march's organizers are extending an invitation to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to attend and address the families directly. Caldwell has stated that the march is not only for Chicago but for every family across America that has experienced loss due to what they perceive as a failure of leadership.
Caldwell also referenced federal crime reduction efforts. He noted that under former President Trump, coordinated crime surge operations involving federal agencies led to significant drops in murders, robberies, and carjackings in Washington D.C., and thousands of arrests nationwide. Caldwell suggested that Chicago's decision to withhold cooperation from federal agents, as directed by Mayor Johnson, has prevented similar results in the city.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at 10:00 AM at Morgan Park High School. The Caldwell Foundation for Public Safety, established in memory of Christian Caldwell, is organizing the march to amplify victims' voices and hold those in power accountable.