Editor’s note: The Northern Star was provided information that “every two minutes and one second, a person in Chicago is shot. Every 11 minutes and 38 seconds, the shot is fatal.” This is believed to be false information, and the Northern Star has contacted additional sources to confirm the information.

Every two minutes and one second, a person in Chicago is shot. Every 11 minutes and 38 seconds, the shot is fatal. 78 percent of those people are black, 17 percent Hispanic, according to Jill Tikkun, College of Education professor.

Students and community members are invited to events happening today through Sunday titled “In the Name of Justice.”

People gathered on Thursday to place tombstones down Lucinda Avenue to represent the 2,882 men, women and children lost to homicide in the past five years.

An artist showcase will feature NIU talent 7 to 10 p.m. today in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium. The artists will perform through hip hop, rap, spoken word, comedy and more to reflect on violence the community has seen.

Unitarian Universalists will host the final event of In the Name of Justice 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Faranda’s Banquet hall.  Guest speakers from NIU, Chicago and surrounding areas will discuss how changes can be implemented. All ages are encouraged to attend and there will be free appetizers.

Elephant Rebellion, a nonprofit organization, will host a youth workshop Sunday to teach kids how they can be agents of change. 

The events this weekend intend to encourage reflection on the violence in Chicago, uplift students that are affected on NIU’s campus and inspire change in the community.

For more information, contact Jill Tikkun at [email protected].