Milwaukee teens urge end to gun violence in Victory Over Violence walk

As gun violence and reckless driving proceed to plague Milwaukee, 15-year-old Rena Ellis is afraid to go outdoors.

A ninth grade scholar at Milwaukee Excellence constitution college, Rena has seen folks get shot outdoors her entrance door and automobiles drive onto the basketball courts the place she performs along with her mates.

“It is unhappy. I haven’t got a childhood. I am unable to develop up,” Rena stated Sunday at an anti-violence march organized by group activist Tracey Dent.

Nathaniel Alston, one other ninth grader at Milwaukee Excellence, stated children who do enterprise into parks discover bullet casings within the grass.

“They are not even in a position to develop and develop as youngsters, to expertise the world,” he stated. “I cannot even deliver my little cousins to go down the slide as a result of anyone would possibly pull as much as the park and shoot a gun as a result of they assume it is only a toy to play with.”

The march Sunday afternoon alongside North King Drive capped every week of anti-violence programming on the college.

The occasion drew a various group of marchers, from college leaders to motorcyclists to members of a drum line. Members agreed that change would solely occur if folks from all backgrounds work collectively.

The Rev. Doyle Sprewer, assistant pastor at Christ the King Baptist Church, stated it is vital that religion communities, politicians and neighborhood residents give attention to bettering town for younger folks.

“Milwaukee generally is a great spot if folks simply come collectively and work collectively,” he stated.

It has been disheartening, Sprewer stated, to see the gun violence worsen in recent times.

“Each time you attempt to do one thing good, the violence simply appears to overwhelm all of the work you are making an attempt to do. However that will not cease us,” he stated. “We’re mandated to make it possible for we offer for our group.”

Teenagers Rena and Nathaniel referred to as for streets secure from taking pictures and reckless driving, two points Milwaukee has struggled to comprise in recent times.

Homicides are up 48% this yr compared to the identical time interval in 2021 — when town broke its file for the second yr in a row.

Extra:Milwaukee is once more reaching historic murder totals in 2022. Why police say an answer is not straightforward.

The deadly taking pictures of 13-year-old Shanaria Wilson outdoors her house final weekend on Milwaukee’s south aspect has renewed requires peace within the metropolis.

Shanaria was killed April 24 after a taking pictures erupted whereas she and different relations have been taking part in outdoors. An 18-year-old man and Shanaria’s 10-year-old sister, Shyier Wilson, have been additionally injured.

At Sunday’s rally, Milwaukee resident Michelle Flagg carried an indication that learn, “Put down the weapons. Let’s speak.” Flagg had by no means participated in a march earlier than however stated she felt she needed to do one thing due to the extent of violence she’s witnessed lately amongst youth.

“I do not know what it should accomplish. However yet another particular person supporting them cannot damage,” she stated.

The group of about 50 marchers was led by Milwaukee police squads and about 20 motorcyclists, who blocked site visitors alongside North King Drive. The group started on the intersection with West Vine Avenue and headed north to Victory over Violence Park, 2625 North King Drive.

The noise of the bikes and drummers drew the eye of individuals in houses and storefronts alongside the route and several other regarded outdoors to cheer and movie the gang.

Lyndee Belanger, senior director of expertise at Milwaukee Excellence, stated the way forward for town lies with younger folks.

“They need and deserve a platform for change of their group,” she stated. “Experiences like this present them this metropolis is theirs.”

Contact Sophie Carson at (414) 223-5512 or scarson@gannett.com. Observe her on Twitter at @SCarson_News.