Local leaders team up to host anti-violence rallies amid gun violence surge in Philadelphia

Friday afternoon, separate communities have been united of their message to finish the violence. In Cobbs Creek, members of 4 church buildings stopped on the websites of current murders to wish for peace.

“We’re making an attempt to cease this,” mentioned organizer Movita Johnson Harrell. “We’re shedding a complete era of younger folks to gun violence. They’re getting youthful and youthful.”

Movita Johnson Harrell misplaced each of her sons and is dedicated to bringing about change.

“Shedding a baby is devastating. It is a ache that I would not want on anyone,” mentioned Harrell. “I misplaced each of my sons to bullets that weren’t meant for them. For a mom to lose a baby, it is out of the pure order of life.”

In Oxford Circle, dozens gathered to honor 27-year-old Raheem Bell, who’s recovering after 4 males shot and carjacked him over the weekend.

“(The violence) is so overwhelming to folks they’re scared to come back exterior. They’re scared to drive their automotive,” mentioned Leslie Bey, Bell’s member of the family.

Earlier on Friday, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw mentioned in an announcement that reads partially, “The violence and trauma of those incidents prolong past these instantly affected and permeate into the very material of our communities. We’re dedicated to searching for justice for victims.”

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney additionally issued an announcement that reads partially, “The surge in gun violence that we have seen makes me not simply heartbroken however indignant. Our administration continues to work relentlessly to cut back violence and create safer communities for everybody.”