Over 100 citizens, community activist, political and community leaders and victims of gun violence families came together on Sunday afternoon to walk through areas of the city that have been impacted by gun violence and crime.
Community organizer Tralayia Price and Councilwoman Paulette Chavers, in partnership with the City of Statesboro, organized the march to end gun violence this Sunday.
The several mile walk began at at 3pm, marching from Kent Park at 107 W. Grady St., Statesboro, and finish at Luetta Moore Park at 585 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Statesboro.
Two hearses led the group. The hearses stopped at several areas of known gun violence hearses stopped and pulled out the stretchers symbolizing the impact of gun violence.
Video of the walk
"We walk today for a cause, community and people. There is not a single black gun manufacture in this county. There is not a single black gun licensed dealer in this county or the counties surrounding this county. There is not a person who is authorized to sell a firearm from this impacted community." said Reverend Dr. Francys Johnson. "Many of the deaths that happen in this community are by people by people who are not legally entitled to own a handgun. Not even old enough to own a handgun. That means an adult bought the weapon and left the weapon accessible and allowed unsupervised children to use these weapons in ways to harm themselves and others."
53 citizens have died from gun violence in the City of Statesboro. 43 were African American.
"I joined 49 other Mayors in Georgia who sent a letter to the Governor and each legislator asking for common sense gun laws in Georgia. There is no reason for our children to have more access to guns than they do healthy living spaces in their communities," said Mayor McCollar. "If this was happening to any other group of people they would call it an epidemic and the world health organization would rally around it and bring it to an end. But we are not waiting for Superman. We are not waiting for no caped crusader to come save us. Today is about us saving us. It is about us taking our destinies in our own hands. We must work together to save our young folk. We stand against those of you doing illegal things in our community and promoting violence."
Town Hall
Following the march, a town hall and conflict resolution discussion was held at Luetta Moore Park, led by Reverend Dr. Francys Johnson and included Mayor Jonathan McCollar, Council member Paulette Chavers, Board of Education members Glenerra Martin and Maurice Hill. This town hall gave the public an opportunity to have their voices heard and learn ways they can work together for change as a community.
"I have heard alot of naysayers saying that this walk was not going to change anything. That we would be marching in vain. This march is a symbol of hope. And where hope is faith survives. Where faith survives, hope survives and where hope survives, change happens," said Council Member Paulette Chavers. "This march is not in vain. We are doing this because we want to see change. This is a symbol of change that is taking place in this community. I am not going to stop fighting for change. I hope you are not going to stop fighting for change as well. Together we will keep the hope for change alive."
Three mothers who have been impacted by gun violence also spoke about the horrible impact senseless violence had on their lives.
The Bulloch County Democratic Party provided dinner for attendees.