New Yorkers Rally To End Violence At Events In Brooklyn, Manhattan
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Two rallies were held in New York City on Saturday, demanding the end to senseless violence.
The parents of a Brooklyn boy who was stabbed to death nearly two weeks ago called for an end to violence at a rally in Harlem.
The parents of 6-year-old Prince Joshua "P.J." Avitto joined Al Sharpton at the National Action Network's offices on 145th Street and Lenox Avenue on Saturday morning.
P.J. was killed and a 7-year-old friend was seriously injured allegedly at the hands of a man who police said has a long criminal record and a history of psychiatric problems.
In Brooklyn, the group Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America held its second annual Brooklyn Bridge march and rally to end gun violence.
Participants chanted 'not one more' as they marched across the Brooklyn Bridge, 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported.
"We're here to show Congress that we want action," said the group's founder Shannon Watts.
Gun violence victims and their families spoke at a rally following the march, CBS 2's Scott Rapoport reported.
"How is this not a national health epidemic? It's disgraceful," said Gina McDade.
"Eighty-six people every day are killed with a gun. That's 86 new families every single day who are going to have to feel how I felt a year-and-a-half ago today. That is completely unacceptable," Erica Lafferty said.
Lafferty is the daughter of Sandy Hook Elementary School principal Dawn Hochsprung.
"What needs to be done? A lot. Universal background checks is Number 1. And safe storage of the guns so that children don't get murdered by the guns that are left unlocked," said Gail Lehmann.
In the wake of the Newtwon tragedy, lawmakers in Washington drafted gun control legislation, which ultimately fell short in Congress after resistance from gun rights advocates, Rapoport reported.
The rally was funded by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg who did not appear.
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