MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After several teenagers have died from gun violence in Memphis this year, dozens of people went to a rally to stop gun violence.
Young people are dying on the streets from gunfire.
“I wish violence wasn’t even thought of — that people just can live their life,” one boy said.
The crowd rallied around the issue at Olivet Fellowship Church on Knight Arnold on Saturday.
“There’s so much happening in my city,” Stacie Payne told WREG. “We’ve got to do something here in our city.”
Payne lost her son to gun violence.
Cameron Selmon, 19, was killed in an explosion of gunfire in 2015 at Tennessee State University.
The teen’s killers have not been caught.
“We’re going through just the process trying to cope but at the same time we’ve got to do something to try to help save somebody,” Payne explained.
It was the reason she organized the event in Southeast Memphis after six children were violently killed in Memphis so far in 2016.
“It saddens me. It hurts my heart because I know exactly how their mom must feel and it’s just a feeling I wouldn’t want to wish on anybody,” Payne said.
The event’s goal was to give young people a positive outlet, educate them on gun violence, and shine light on victims who had their lives snatched away.
“I try to tell my friends everyday stay safe, make sure you’re in the right area, make sure you’re making smart decisions,” a teen said.
