Moms, sororities, others demand peace through action at event

Voleer Thomas
·4 min read
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Families had the opportunity to learn more about local agencies that provide resources to the community at the "Peace in Action" event held Saturday at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in northeast Gainesville that was sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

The sororities also invited MOMS Demand Action to participate in the event that was funded by a generous donation from the Children's Trust of Alachua County, said Yvette Carter, chair of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.'s Social Action Committee.

The community gun violence prevention resource fair was held to give residents an opportunity to learn about resources available to them, organizers of the event said.

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The two aforementioned sororities in 2018 agreed to collaborate by thinking of different ways to help the community, Carter said.

“Gun violence is a glaring issue in our community,” Carter said. “Our motto is to work together on issues that affect our community. We want to promote peace and to also show that action is being taken.”

The event and others like it give residents an opportunity to learn more about the resources in the county that can help prevent gun violence, said Diva McPherson, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

“You never know the difference you can make,” McPherson said. “It’s a good event for families to attend to see who’s offering mentoring, summer camps and resources to help reduce gun violence.”

Parent Shanita Dunmore attended the fair with her daughter, Abigail, to learn more about the resources in the community.

“This is a good opportunity to network with other agencies in the area to share information and to continue working with the community,” said Dunmore, an academic coach in the Educational Opportunity Center at Santa Fe College.

During the event, MOMS Demand Action members had a room where residents could talk to representatives of the organization about gun safety.

Abigail Dunmore, top right, and her mother, Shanita Dunmore, top center, talk to Sheila Bryant, bottom right, at the Gainesville Housing Authority's table during a Peace In Action gun violence prevention event on Saturday. (Photo: Photo by Voleer Thomas/For The Guardian)
Abigail Dunmore, top right, and her mother, Shanita Dunmore, top center, talk to Sheila Bryant, bottom right, at the Gainesville Housing Authority's table during a Peace In Action gun violence prevention event on Saturday. (Photo: Photo by Voleer Thomas/For The Guardian)

Measuring the toll of gun violence

Susan Browder, Robin Lillie and Amanda Goldsmith shared their stories about how gun violence has affected their lives.

Browder’s daughter, Sarah, 29, died when her husband shot her during a domestic violence situation.

Lillie’s son, Tyler Pearson, who was also 29, died in Palm Beach County when his girlfriend’s lover shot him.

Lillie talked about how Pearson was also in a domestic violence relationship.

Goldsmith was shot in the back by a man she rejected at the age of 17.

Goldsmith said the suspect intended to shoot her in the face but the gun jammed.

“I’ve been putting my anger into action to better our communities and engage with them to know we can end gun violence,” Goldsmith said. “It’s going to take all of us.”

For more information about Moms Demand Action, visit momsdemandaction.org

Funding is available

Brandy Stone is the community health director for Gainesville Fire Rescue and the co-lead for One Nation, One Project (ONOP) GNV alongside co-lead Cherie Kelly, who is the city of Gainesville's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs youth services manager.

ONOP is an initiative to prevent youth gun violence in the community by increasing the opportunities for arts and cultural programming for youth, officials say.

The city commission decided to dedicate 2 percent ($648,172) of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to address youth violence through arts and culture interventions, according to the city's website, www.gainesvillefl.gov.

The project had its first information forum on March 6 at the King Center in northeast Gainesville to engage with the community and to collaborate on arts and cultural programming to improve health and well-being, officials said.

Stone said people and organizations have until April 30 to apply for funding for programs that involve youth engagement in arts and cultural programs and events that promote the reduction of youth gun violence.

For more information, visit www.gainesvillefl.gov then click on the Community tab, then the Community Interests section at the bottom of the page, then select One Nation, One Project GNV.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: MOMS Demand Action, others host event to discuss gun violence prevention