CONCERT AIMS TO END GUN VIOLENCE
CONCERT AIMS TO END GUN VIOLENCE
By Safiyyah P. Muhammad
An alliance of gun violence prevention activists held its first annual Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, recently at the DuSable Museum of African-American History in Chicago.
The event was hosted by Purpose Over Pain, a local parent advocate group, (which backs stricter gun control legislation), according to a Concert across America press release.
According to Annette Nance-Holt, founder of Purpose Over Pain, there were 300 concerts which partnered with Concert Across America to raise awareness of Americans who are being murdered by firearms each year. Nance-Holt said it was a perfect time to host the event because September 25th , the day of the event, was nationally recognized as Remembrance of Murder Victims Day.
“It seems that we (in the black community) are experiencing gun violence at a much higher rate, because guns are being placed in our communities in great numbers. Gangs are buying guns illegally from people who are selling guns to make a profit,” she said.
The press release stated that Nance-Holt lost her only child, Blair in 2007, to gun violence, while riding on a CTA bus. “The death of my son will always bear a great weight on me, but I know Blair would want me to speak out as I do in hopes that no parent has to go through what I’ve been through,” she added.
The root of gun violence in the black community has many layers, which are often ignored. Holt said, “First, there is a (deep) need for many of these young people to be loved and accepted. They also need families and they also need good jobs. When these kids are incarcerated, they don’t get the rehabilitation they need and once they get out (of jail), another cycle of violence starts all over again. It’s like the perfect storm.”
On Thursday, September 22nd Mayor Rahm Emanuel delivered a pivotal speech on gun violence, at Malcolm X College. He used murdered victims Tyshawn Lee, Nykea Aldridge and Arshell Dennis, Jr. as recent grim statistics of gun violence. “In too many communities (in Chicago), parents cannot even allow their children to play outside because of the fear of gun violence, of a stray bullet,” Mayor Emanuel said during the press conference.
On the same day of the mayor’s speech, a local NBC report said four people were murdered and 12 others wounded.
Holt expressed a sense of urgency for local church organizations to join with lawmakers to discuss the issue of gun legislation.
“The violence we have experienced overwhelmingly involves the use of a firearm. Each year, we appeal to lawmakers and gun advocates for the need for common sense gun legislation in hopes of stemming the tide of guns in our communities while raising the awareness of the impact gun violence has on our communities,” Holt said.
The concert featured Gospel singer Darius Brooks along with other local R&B, blues, jazz and positive rap artists performing live. The concert was free and proceeds went towards funeral services for families who have lost loved ones and to expand youth mentoring.
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