The South Side native’s message was aimed particularly at young people. “That restlessness you feel in your hearts, we shouldn't look for ways to put out the fire, to numb ourselves to the difficulties we feel,

“We want to celebrate that he’s not only from America, but he’s from Chicago, and he’s from the South Side,” said Rose Carlson, 42, as she filed into the ballpark with her husband, Eric.

Ten of thousands of Chicagoans gathered together in various locations to do what we arguably do best — party, protest and pray.