By MAKENZIE BOUCHER
On Wednesday evening, local leaders and citizens joined together in prayer on the steps of Government Plaza. Despite the possibility of rain, many citizens came to pray for the victims of gun violence.
State Representative Tammy Phelps, Shreveport District A Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor and District 7 Caddo Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts hosted the event.
The call for prayer was centered around the victims of gun violence and the mothers and caregivers for children within the community.
This event came in the wake of the death of Minnion Jackson, 17, who was killed last Wednesday in a shooting on I-220.
Shreveport has now had 49 homicides this year.
Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins spoke about the responsibility of the whole city and the role it plays in fighting against violence.
Phelps said, “Together we are responding to our citizens’ concerns, fears and hopes.” She continued on by encouraging citizens to speak up and to not be bystanders in the face of violence.
Taylor said, “In the midst of the recent violent storm, we had a storm of violence.” She continued by saying “Enough is enough. … We won’t allow those who want to terrorize our city take over our neighborhoods.
“We come together in prayer, and we will leave with purpose and policies to do anything we can to stop the senseless killing,” said Watts. She also emphasized the burden of additional grief during this time of turmoil.
Collectively, these leaders encouraged the public to pray for the future. And for the memory of those who have been lost to gun violence.
One of the speakers was a mother who lost her child to gun violence. Lawanda Finney pleaded with the audience stating, “Stop the killing. If we don’t stop it, more families will feel what we have felt.
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Other speakers included Caddo School Board members Mary Trammel and Dottie Bell. Another school board member, Raymond Green, was there to support the organizers.
The crowd came with great concerns for the community. They left with the confidence that their prayers would be answered and with a resolve to actively fight the criminals in the community.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE September 4 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.