2 anti-gun violence rallies planned to honor mother killed in midtown Atlanta shooting
Channel 2 Action News is gaining new insights into the victims of last week’s mass shooting in midtown Atlanta as the country grapples with yet another deadly mass shooting in Texas over the weekend.
Channel 2′s Audrey Washington learned that there is now an anti-gun violence rally planned for this weekend to honor 38-year-old Amy St. Pierre, who was killed when police say a gunman opened for at a medical officer. Four other women were injured.
The alleged gunman, Deion Patterson, was arrested in Cobb County after an hours-long manhunt.
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St. Pierre was the mother of two young children and worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in maternal health.
Washington was a the corner of North Highland and Virginia Avenue, where the rally is planned for Saturday. Another larger rally is also in the works at a different location nearby.
Washington spoke to Elaine DeSimons with the Moms Demand Action group on Monday, which is hosting one of the rallies.
“There’s a lot of angry moms that will make sure lawmakers do their jobs and keep us safe,” DeSimons said of the planned rally Saturday. “The hurt is very raw. They feel terrible for her husband and children. It just hits very close to home.”
DeSimons said she hopes the rally will help people cope with the tragedy.
“The more people we have together, the more healing we’ll have for the community,” DeSimons said.
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St. Pierre was active with different social justice groups including the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a group that focuses on Black Maternal Health. In a joint statement, leaders with BMMA and the National Birth Equity Collaborative wrote, in part,
“For years, Amy collaborated with both of our organizations in her role at the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health and has, from the beginning, been a fierce supporter of our work to advance Black Maternal Health equity. We will remember Amy for her bright smile, dynamic vision...She touched so many people in her life and career, and we send our heartfelt love, condolences and prayers to her husband, children, family and everyone who loves her.”
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The second rally is set for Piedmont Park this weekend.
