YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Youngstown Community Initiative to Reduce Violence has partnered with the Youngstown Police Department to host a peace-related event early Saturday.
In response to the recent surge in gun violence in the community, organizations are banding together to promote peace – but what are those in power actually doing to curb gun violence?
Attendees discussed the violence at the Raise Peace Family Day at the Youngstown Foundation amphitheater.
“I don’t think the average Youngstown citizen would want the town to be known for its murders,” said NOW Youngstown Vice President and Pastor Cornell Jordan.
Twenty people were killed by gun violence that year. Twenty candles were lit to represent the lives of the victims.
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“A lot of people don’t know that, but that’s a huge, huge number. In fact, it’s one too many, ”said Jordan.
He said it was important for the community to join organizations like his to come together and try to put an end to the violence.
“We just want to be able to tell our community that Youngstown is better. Now Youngstown is about bringing together people and organizations that are really trying to bring hope to our city, ”said Jordan.
NOW Youngstown President Stephanie McKelvey said it is a long road to combating gun violence in the city, but events like this are the first step.
“I think it helps with planting seeds and I think more people will become connected over time,” McKelvey said.
Although she said it is certainly not an instant change overnight, it will take time to spread the message of peace.
The group’s hosts increase the peace rallies every Tuesday during the summer, but this event was on a much larger scale.
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“I mean, this is the city of YOU, like you and me, us. We do this together, black, white, Hispanic … we all come together, just trying to be better for our communities, for our families, that’s what it’s about, ”Jordan said.
In the two hours we were at the event, we did not find any officials to talk to about what they are doing to curb gun violence in the city.
We have contacted YPD and are waiting for an answer.
