National observance remembers victims of gun violence
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The City of Fort Wayne is joining with the Fort Wayne/Allen County NAACP and Unity Barbershop to participate in a national observance to remember the victims of gun violence. The event is this Sunday, January 8th at 5 p.m., outside Unity Barber Shop, 921 E. Pontiac St. The public is encouraged to go online to RSVP for the vigil, at http://www.bradycampaign.org/toomanyvictims, so that organizers will have an accurate count, when ordering candles.
In addition to the vigil, the event will include testimony from victims or families that have been impacted by gun violence, musical tributes and remarks by community and youth leaders, including Foundation One and Daniel Williams.
The national observance, which is sponsored by the Washington, D.C.-based Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, is being held on January 8th – the first anniversary of the shooting in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona shooting left six people dead, including a 9-year-old girl and 13 people injured, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
The Fort Wayne community candlelight vigil is just one of many being held across the nation on Sunday, with the idea of igniting a uniform voice that honors victims and seeks action to help stop gun violence.
The vigil theme, “Too Many Victims,” recognizes the toll that gun violence takes on families and communities and reminds us that anyone can fall victim to gun violence.
In 2011, Allen County had 24 homicides. Of that 24, 14 victims died as a result of gun violence.
“When the shooting in Tucson happened, it touched something in me,” said Paulette Nellems, president of the local NAACP. “We wanted to be part of this nationwide event so that we could help raise awareness and get people to speak up about the violence in our city. There’s too much violence.”
Nellems said vigil organizers will also promote 866-SPEAKUP, a crime prevention hotline.
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