Communityled program spreads awareness of gun violence

Preventing gun violence is much easier said than done. But people are speaking out and urging that the violence stops.

On Friday, June 2, community members and leaders gathered at Sally Kate Winters Park to observe National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

The day was first established in 2013 by a group of Chicago teens who wanted to honor their friend Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed at the age of 15. Since then, National Gun Violence Awareness Day has grown into a national movement, with people wearing orange to symbolize their support for the cause. Orange is the color chosen to represent the fight against gun violence, as it is the color hunters wear to protect themselves from harm.

Friday's program at Sally Kate Winters Park drew a large crowd, with people wearing orange to symbolize their support for the cause.

During the event, community leaders came up to the podium at the park's pavilion and gave a few words and prayed over the families and victims. The event was organized by Reita Humphries, who lost her son to gun violence, and she wanted to spread awareness on the severity of the issue.

“There are certain events and dates that are memorable, such as driving for the first time, graduation, engagement, wedding, birthday, anniversary, getting your first car or home, or receiving some type of award. But we shouldn't have to know the day that our child died. We should not have to receive that call that our child has been murdered,” Humphries said. “On June 17 of 2021, my family received that call and that was the most devastating day of my life and will always be. It's a shame that I have to remember that day. We're coming up on two years from when he was murdered, not here in Clay County, but in Jackson. So we have to speak up, we have to stand up, we deserve a lot more. No other family shouldn't have to feel this pain and I know many of us have been affected one way or another. So let's remember to keep everyone in prayer. Let's unite and make that difference here in West Point and Clay County.”

The program also included a moment of silence to honor those who have lost their lives to

gun violence, and attendees were also encouraged to say out loud the names of those they know who were affected by gun violence or have been killed due to gun violence.

“The sun is shining because they're shining and smiling down on us,” Humphries said at the end of the program.