ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Local anti-violence group Ceasefire is trying to stop the attacks. The organization is hosting a resource fair in honor of Black History Month.

Ceasefire, along with Booker Washington Community Center, held a moderated discussion today called "The State of the Black Man." Several local leaders discussed African-American male's status in Rockford, including the crime rate. Right now, members with Ceasefire believe violence is one of the biggest problems our community is facing.

Rev. Ovester Armstrong Jr., Ceasefire Rockford, says, "A lot of the people going back to committing the same crime, they do so because they don't have the opportunity to get a G.E.D. or get a job or get the resources they need to actually get off of the street and better their livelihood.”
Today's resource fair helped people enroll in local colleges, find jobs and expunge criminal records.