In a press conference on Monday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the alarming surge in gun violence that occurred over the Fourth of July weekend in the city. More than 100 people were injured, with at least 19 fatalities reported during the holiday weekend.

Mayor Johnson, a Democrat who assumed office last year, attributed the persistent gun violence problem to generations of disinvestment and deep disenfranchisement in the affected communities. "We are here to say emphatically that this is enough," Mayor Johnson declared, highlighting the devastating impact that the relentless violence has on the spirit of Chicago.

During the press conference, Mayor Johnson expressed that he has taken measures to ensure the city receives adequate federal resources. He called on federal authorities to respond to mass shootings in Chicago just as they do in other parts of the country.

The mayor's remarks gained attention when a reporter inquired if he had heard any gunfire from the 10 shootings that took place in his neighborhood on the West Side. Mayor Johnson acknowledged the issue, stating that the Austin neighborhood, though beautiful, had unfortunately suffered from decades of neglect.

Mayor Johnson continued by emphasizing the need to hold accountable those responsible for the violence, but he also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes. He expressed his ultimate goal of transforming the city to break the cycle of violence among young males aged 10 to 19, both as victims and perpetrators.

In his remarks, Mayor Johnson made a reference to the past, asserting, "Black death has unfortunately been accepted in this country for a very long time. We had a chance 60 years ago to get at the root causes. And people mocked President Johnson, and we ended up with Richard Nixon."

However, the mayor did not elaborate further on his statements concerning President Nixon. The Richard Nixon Foundation responded on social media, calling Mayor Johnson's reference "gratuitous" and stating that the facts did not support his characterization of President Nixon's civil rights record. The foundation also provided a list of the administration's accomplishments.

Mayor Johnson's comments sparked a viral response on social media platforms such as X, formerly known as Twitter. While some users expressed shock and criticism towards the mayor's attempt to shift blame, others perceived his statement as a distraction from addressing the current issues facing Chicago.

With gun violence continuing to plague the city, Mayor Johnson emphasized his commitment to working tirelessly to transform Chicago into a better, stronger, and safer place for its residents. His office has been contacted for further comment on his statements regarding President Nixon.

As the city grapples with the aftermath of a violent weekend, the focus remains on finding practical solutions to curb the gun violence epidemic that has plagued Chicago for years.