HARTFORD, Conn — National Gun Violence Awareness Day was Friday and leaders from across Connecticut came out in force in Hartford to highlight the problem.
Saint Francis Hospital and the leaders hosted a ceremony to remember and honor victims of gun violence and to raise awareness of the day.
According to the CDC, more than 100 Americans are killed by guns every day. According to their 2014-2018 fatal injury report, the CDC listed firearms as the leading cause of death for American children and teens.
"I represent the Hartford area, and since 2003 we've had over 600 shootings, 600 homicides, and going unnoticed because the pain really lies in our community and we're wanting to see the change," Deborah Davis, of Mothers United Against Violence said.
Hoping to bring about change by making people aware of the dangers, those on the front lines at Saint Francis, shared their experiences, as trauma surgeons.
"Violence happens in lots of ways but guns take lives quickly, and just horribly. So when we see it we look for opportunities to help our community stop the violence," Dr. David Shapiro, Trauma Surgeon, Saint Francis Hospital said.
Friday's event was also a time to remember the lives that have already been lost to gun violence, like Shane Oliver.
Connecticut Against Gun Violence's Community Outreach Coordinator, Janet Rice, said she lost her son, her only child Shane, 8 years ago, 55 days before the Sandy Hook massacre.
"That's why we, at CAGV have been calling on legislators and the governor to create a permanent commission with the sole purpose of ending gun violence in urban communities," Rice said.
National Gun Violence Awareness Day is also the #WearOrange movement, inspired by friends of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Chicago high school student killed by gunfire in 2013, one week after performing at President Obama’s second inauguration.
In attendance of today’s event:
- Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin
- Congressman John Larson
- Governor Ned Lamont
- Senator Richard Blumenthal
- Senator Chris Murphy
- Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody
- The executive director of Communities that Care, Andrew Woods,
- Deborah Davis with Mothers United Against Violence
- Jeremy Stein, Connecticut Against Gun Violence
- Jacquelyn Santiago, COMPASS Youth Collaborative