CHICAGO (CBS) – We’re all too aware of the ongoing carjacking crisis here in Chicago – but now a self-defense teacher has a solution in the form of a free class to keep you safe.
The instructor, Marquinn McDonald, showed CBS 2’s Marissa Parra some moves that you could use when faced with danger.
CONTINUE READING: Man shot, injured woman leaving the restaurant in the North River
At Quantum Martial Arts and Fitness, they not only give tips on carjacking defense and education, but this year they offered five instead of four courses because the demand from Chicagoans living in fear was so great.
McDonald stressed that the purpose of self-defense is not to encourage violence.
“A lot of people may see martial arts as a form of learning to be more violent,” he said. “But what you learn – you gain self-confidence and security.”
For years, McDonald’s has offered free self-defense classes to women in Chicago. But this year he got a special request.
“As car thefts increased, women asked us, ‘How do we deal with this?'” He said.
McDonald has been part of the grassroots effort to curb carjacking through the Community Safe Passage Initiative for almost a year. He’s part of the team that guards the pumps in Bronzeville every Saturday.
The self-defense teacher is now teaching what to do when these volunteers are not there guarding.
CONTINUE READING: 14-year-old boy wounded, brother killed in Pullman shooting
Parra: “Does this ever get sad or alarming to you?”
MC Donald: “It is. Unfortunately, that is our reality in this city, in which we now have to think like this every day: ‘How do I survive an encounter?'”
His lessons include tips on how to prevent a car theft before it happens and will save you time if you’re ambushed. His goal is not to protect your things, but to keep you alive.
“If you can avoid and survive a physical altercation, you will be victorious,” said McDonald. “I don’t care if they took everything. All of that can be replaced. Your life cannot do that. “
This particular course at Quantum Martial Arts started in March. One session on Saturday will be the last for 2021.
The Saturday session will be held at the Carruthers Center at Northeastern Illinois University, 700 E. Oakwood Blvd. in Bronzeville, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Next Wednesday, December 22nd, McDonald will be accompanied to an event “Listening to Our Black Youth” in the auditorium of the Thompson Center in downtown LaShawn K. Ford (D-Chicago) from the US state of Illinois People will discuss the trauma they are dealing with and how it leads to the crime we saw.
MORE NEWS: Remaining run of “Pretty Woman: The Musical” at the CIBC Theater, “Cinderella” at Aurora’s Paramount Theater, canceled due to COVID cases
Quantum Martial Arts and Fitness is located in Suite 141 in River City at 800 S. Wells St. on the South Loop.
