First Lady Attends Funeral of Chicago Teen Shot After Performing at the Inauguration: ‘Tragic Loss…Due to Senseless Gun Violence’
This undated file family photo provided by Damon Stewart shows 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton of Chicago who was was shot Jan. 29, 2013 while she talked with friends in a park about a mile from President Barack Obama’s Chicago home. (Photo: AP)
(TheBlaze/AP) — Hundreds of mourners and dignitaries, including first lady Michelle Obama, packed the funeral service Saturday for a Chicago teen whose killing catapulted her into the nation’s debate over gun violence.
But one speaker after another remembered 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton not so much as a symbol but as a best friend, reports say, an excellent student with big dreams and simply a girl with a great smile and bubbly personality. They said she was a typical teen who wanted to borrow her friends’ clothes and who never left home without her lip gloss.
And to her mother, Pendleton was the daughter she tried to keep busy so she’d be beyond the reach of the city’s seemingly endless gang violence.
“You don’t know how hard this really is, and those of you who do know how hard this really is, I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Cleopatra Pendleton told the packed South Side church. “No mother, no father should ever have to experience this.”
Cleopatra Pendleton (L) arrives for the funeral of her 15-year-old daughter Hadiya at the Greater Harvest M.B. Church on February 9, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo: Getty Images)
Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed on Jan. 29 as she stood with friends at a neighborhood park about a mile from President Barack Obama’s Chicago home in the Kenwood neighborhood. Just days before, the band majorette was among the performers during events for Obama’s inauguration. Police say Pendleton was an innocent victim in a gang-related shooting.
Michelle Obama was among a long list of dignitaries who attended the funeral, but she was able to meet privately with the family before the service. She also accompanied the girl’s mother to the open casket at the front of the church.
“As a mother and Chicagoan, the first lady was heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of Hadiya Pendleton due to senseless gun violence,” Kristina Schake, an aide to Obama, commented.
The first lady, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, put her arm around Cleopatra Pendleton and patted her back.
Criticized for “politicizing” the girl’s death on Friday, though, she appeared to making an effort to avoid the press and ducked in through a side door.
First lady Michelle Obama (L) ducks in a side door after arrivng at the Greater Harvest M.B. Church for the funeral of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton on February 9, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo: Getty Images)
Some of Illinois’ most recognizable politicians and clergy were in attendance, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, Gov. Pat Quinn, and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
But Pendleton’s family said the service wouldn’t be political – it would be a time to remember a girl who loved to dance and who once appeared in an anti-gang video.
None of the dignitaries spoke Saturday. Instead, close friends, holding back tears, got up to remember her.
One of them said she felt Hadiya was “still here with us, whispering the answers in chemistry.”
The Rev. Jesse Jackson leaves the wake of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton at the Calahan Funeral Home in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo: Getty Images)
But the national impact of the young woman’s killing was noted.
Her godfather, Damon Stewart, said someone on Facebook asked what made Pendleton’s death more noteworthy than those of more than 40 people who had already been slain in Chicago this year – many without so much as a mention in local newspapers.
“She’s important because all those other people who died are important,” Stewart retorted. “She’s important because all of those lives and voices of those families who were ignored, she now speaks for them. … I don’t believe in coincidence. God needed an angel. God needed to send somebody for us to change.”
Father Michael Pfleger, a prominent Chicago pastor, reportedly asked, “when did we lose our soul?” in discussing “our failure as a society that has allowed guns to become part of our wardrobe.”
An overflow crowd stands outside the Greater Harvest M.B. Church during the funeral of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton on February 9, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo: Getty Images)
Pendleton’s slaying came in a January that was the city’s deadliest in a decade. In 2012, Chicago recorded 506 homicides.
A glossy, eight-page funeral program included photos of Pendleton and details about her life. It also had a copy of a handwritten note from President Obama addressed to the girl’s family.
“We know that no words from us can soothe the pain, but rest assured that we are praying for you, and that we will continue to work as hard as we can to end this senseless violence,” it read.
According to ABC News, Hadiya’s mother is expected to be a guest of honor at the State of the Union Tuesday night.
CBS Chicago has more:
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Comments (158)
momrules
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:15pmI have reported you too. Filthy, just filthy.
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high school drop out
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:13pmAnother “Photo op”…Another tragedy exploited….You know,if they were to attend ALL the funerals of the people killed by senseless violence in Chicago they would not have time to mug for the camera let alone promote their agenda!!!….Oh by the way alittle advice all you people with kids in Chicago..MOVE THE HELL OUT OF THERE!!!! Whats keeping you folks there? We know its not the weather! We know theres no jobs..please enlighten me..I,m puzzled.
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Verceofreason
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:19pmI say it’s high time Laura Bush was arrested for vehicular homicide.
RANGER1965
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:51pmYou can tell when a socialist is angry. They invoke Bush like it’s a magic word.
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barber2
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 7:00pmRANGER: Agree. Blame Bush is a habit they can not break. Now they blame guns . The Blame Game.
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:09pm.
Why is this such a big deal?…….
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MAULEMALL
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:14pmwhy is what such abig deal?
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:26pm.
Just what I asked. Just another young life cut short by a Free Lunch Slave…….
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catty
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:51pmI hope to god noone has chosen to produce a child with you
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RANGER1965
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:58pmBecause Monkey…somthing incredible happened! Our guns have woken up, they are no longer simple tools of metal, but self willed beings.
That gang banger that killed the young lady isn’t the problem. It’s the gun! It took over his mind and made him do it.
Hence, Gun Violence, instead of Gang Violence.
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nzkiwi
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:09pmNormally I’m immovable in my defence of free speech, But you, Nancy, have moved beyond the pale.
On top of that pointless and disgusting obscenity, you make it easier for those who attack free speech to make their case.
Please find somewhere else to waste your tiny little life…
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sandlakebob
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:08pmI think Moochelle got it wrong…… not “senseless GUN violence”,, it was “senseless GANG violence.”
OH wait, her hubby is trying to get rid of guns, not gangs. Hmmmm
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MAULEMALL
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:15pmThank you…
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CatB
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 7:40pmEXCELLENT post.
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toiletclogga
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:07pmThere is a systemic problem with Black Democrats killing other Black Democrats. There is a problem with the black youth, and their infatuation with ganglife. There is a problem with black youth who stay out at all hours of the night, and their parent/mother not giving a crap about them until they are gunned down. There is a problem with Chicago in general, as well as most major cities where the sanctity of life is non-existent!
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nzkiwi
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:20pmI agree with you entirely.
WorldNetDaily has been running a series of stories on black-on-black and black-on-white violence and murders.
The black perpetrators believe, rightly it seems, that fear of being called a racist is preventing reporters from looking too closely. Ditto for the police.
Colin Flaherty is an exception.
http://www.wnd.com/2013/01/surge-of-black-violence-called-urban-terrorism/
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chips1
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:28pmIsn’t it odd that gangs are legal, yet Uncle Remus has been banned?
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The-Monk
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:46pmHowdy NZkiwi,
Thanks for the link !
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momrules
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:05pmSo the high profile gun grabbers stood on this girl’s coffin and cried their crocodile tears of outrage over gun violence. I do not accept that she now speaks for the other dead and ignored young people who have died and who will continue to die at the bloody hands of gang members. She, like the dead children at Sandy Hook, is being used.
They could not care less about this girl but saw an opportunity to advance the left’s call to disarm Americans. If she had not recently performed for Obama few would have ever known her name.
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DEFCON4
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:05pmWhat a vile and offensive ‘user name’. Reported, your time is ticking away, troll !
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justangry
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:02pmI don’t imagine she’ll attend any of the funerals of the children her husband murdered.
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momrules
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:08pmShe would not have attended this girl’s funeral if had not been an opportunity to advance the call to disarm Americans.
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progressiveslayer
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:16pmLike vultures they come out to advance their political agenda and she’ll use this girl’s death just like her worthless husband used the massacre of kids at Newtown,it’s vile. Everyone knows that ‘gun laws’ only infringe on the already law abiding citizen’s right to own a firearm because the criminal ignores all laws.
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Verceofreason
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:21pmBush murdered hundreds of thousands.
Deal with it.
Never were any WMD’s
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RANGER1965
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:44pmWhat’s that sound?
It’s the sound of Verce jumping the shark..again. When your side is completely in the wrong, and irrational, lashing out at Bush is not a good choice sweetie.
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justangry
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:47pm@Bolshevik Downy, And Clinton murdered over half a million in Iraq children by sanctions. Madeline Albright said it was worth it, remember? What’s your point? Libertarians know both sides are mass murderers you commie agitator.
@Momrules, I know it’s disgusting. I hear Feinstein will be parading a kid from Newtown with her for some upcoming function. I imagine children will be used as political pawns in the State of the Union, as well.
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SPOT_OF_TEA
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 7:11pmI often ask myself,dont these people on the lef have a conscience?How do they sleep at night?…Then I remember their bible,Rules for Radicals where the motto is the ends justify the means…no need for them to feel guilty if in their minds its for the greater good.
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resme
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 7:13pm“Bush murdered hundreds of thousands.
Deal with it.”
Wow, Justifying murder with murder. You give republicorp a run for his money.
You are a sick individual.
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AUsername
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 8:13pmall 3 puppets should get the punishment Saddam Hussein got for murder.
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The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:59pmI’ve reported your post…not because of your statement, but because of your disgusting and childish selection of a name. I also requested they ban you for life.
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bruce_baker
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:59pmAs usual, it’s all about the gun and not one word about the culture and society that produced such a monster as the perpetrator. If we had started 20 years ago to curtail the system that produces a 70% illegitimate birth rate, instead of encouraging that trend as we have done, things might have turned out much differently. Turn your back on God, as a society, and things go to hell. This is rock solid evidence of that, nothing more. Karl Marx is a minion of the Anti-Christ, and his spirit still lives in Chicago, Washington, and many other places. Those who advocate his policies are servants of the devil, whether they realize it or not.
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The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:13pmI agree with you 100%.
I have mentioned to some people (who do not believe in God) that they have no idea the crimes I would commit and things I would do if I truly believed there was nothing awaiting us after we pass on. If I truly believed I only had 50-75 years of existance and nothing but man’s laws to hold me back…I would probably be a complete monster.
When I tell them that I believe that is what causes these people to do these things as well…they say “No…man has a conscience and a built in social nature”…it boggles my mind.
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high school drop out
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:17pm“Karl Marx, a minion of the antichrist’..I love it!…Can I use it?
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huey6367
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:57pmObama (the Messiah) doesn’t like guns
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Eastinfection
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:52pmThis is sad.
This kid had a lot going for her.
Thoughts & prayers to her family & friends.
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The-Monk
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:00pmHi East,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SwNXQMoNps
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Jake Dog2
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:06pmThis is what happens when communities turn over the streets to gangs. The kids become the sacrificial lambs. So sad to see. Then the vultures like Jesse Jackson come in to feed of it
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Netsurfer2
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:52pmIt’s their way of life, why would they ever change anything when they have gangs, thugs and entitlements? After all, it’s the working class that suffers when it comes to neighborhoods like that! While cops in England are making about 30,000 per year, our cops are making over twice that with unions that are pushing for even more every day! Maybe having guns is not a bad idea after all people?
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tonypro
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:51pm“” First Lady Attends Funeral of Chicago Teen Shot “”
More like a photo op encompassed with an agenda push.
Prayers to the family for their lose.
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huey6367
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:50pmSick, sick, sick. She and Jesse, et al attended only for political reasons. They don’t care that she died. In their minds, she died so hopefully some kind of gun reform can happen. SICK TWISTED PEOPLE!!!!
I am sorry for the families loss.
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barber2
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:56pmI agree about the family’s loss. The young girl sounded like a good person with a bright future. Her family must be heart broken, especially with all of the attention at such a sad time.
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bannedfromCNN
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:49pm“Never let a crisis go to waste”.
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jchristop
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:47pmOnce again let’s remind the ignorant at best Michael Pfleger that guns are not the problem. Gangs are the problem. Poverty is not the problem. Entitlement mentality is the problem. Big government is not the solution. Repentance and submission to a Holy God is the solution. Sadly I have little hope for most cities in America and almost none for the world in general. God help me not lose all hope for them. Bring our arrogant leaders to their knees. Bring us all to our knees.
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The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:47pmNO!!!!!!! Due to senseless GANG violence brought about by a liberal run city that has destroyed the infrastructure.
What a PATHETIC woman!
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The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:55pmI would like to add that I have heartfelt sorrow for such a youny lady losing her life…and nothing byt hatred for not only those that did the shooting, but the gutless, cowardly members of the gang she was standing near…who ran off and left her and did not even try to help her or drag her to safety. They are nothing but the lowest level of life on this planet.
Do they not teach math in these schools? What does it take to figure out you are wrong in your gun beliefs when the city with the toughest gun laws has the highest amount of deaths by firearms?
It tells me they ought to arm the GOOD citezens of the city and turn their backs as they march into the gamg infested parts of the city and let them gun them down with extreme prejudice.
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neverending
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:45pmWho cares?
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chips1
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:43pmWOW!!! Chicago doesn’t waste any time doing what Obama taught them. He is THE Organizer, you know!
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cowboy357
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:41pmTragic that another had to die in the liberal utopia they have created. As always in the end they will blame the gun pass another law and pat themselves on the back……till next time.
So much for another gun free zone.
So much for the community organizer.
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chips1
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:01pm“Next time”, has already passed. There have been several since then. To be continued……
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cowboy357
Posted on February 10, 2013 at 6:38amYes indeed to be continued
Strange isn’t it how Chicago must have all the mean and evil guns ……because mine are nice and don’t murder.
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gyro
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:40pmI can not believe the parents let her use them for to push a obama agenda
shame on the parents regarding that
Condolences also to all the family for their loss
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BlackCrow
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:38pmGuns are not violent, gangs of Obama’s followers are.
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gyro
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:42pmwow so very corect is so few words well posted
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RANGER1965
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:35pmRemember folks it was “Gun Violence” not “Gang Violence”.
While you were sleeping, guns became sentient beings with self will.
They can and will kill at the drop of a hat!. They have gained the ability to leap off a table, and shoot anyone of you dead as a door nail.
Even worse guns have a type of mind control which is activated by touch. Grasp a gun and you are risking these powerful entities taking over you mind. They may turn you into a cold blooded killer, or make you commit suicide.
It’s good that the First Lady, and the responsible media have correctly changed the headline from Gang Violence to Gun Violence.
More people need to be aware that guns are not just mechanical tools, but sophisticated forms of life, that hate us. The sooner we get rid of these deadly beings the better!
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50211bs
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:20pmRanger, I know what you’re saying! I have 4 guns and I caught them together plotting the take over of our gov’t. My ak, the leader of the group, has been in contact of all the neighbors guns and they are all in on it too. folks be careful and keep an eye on your weapons and if you suspect something for gods sake turn them in to the proper authorities!
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RANGER1965
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:55pmI know what you mean. Last year my guns were just disorganzied rabble rousers, easy to manage…. But ever since I bought an AR-15…I just don’t know man.
I think the AR-15 is leading a rebellion in my closet…
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