'Freedom From Violence' March Held In Hill District
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Often as the temperature heats up, so does the violence.
In anticipation of the beginning of summer, there's a call to put the guns down. Dozens of people from various community groups took that message to the streets Saturday.
"No violence, no more, no violence, no more," the crowd chanted.
A short and simple message from people demanding that the killings on Pittsburgh city streets must stop.
Members of local sororities, fraternities and other organizations made sure they were heard as they marched through the Hill District.
"We're marching against violence," John Ayers, of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, said. "We're sick and tired of the young kids shooting and killing each other. We're just letting them know we're tired of it. We want them to put the guns down, pick up a book, go to college, don't destroy your neighborhood."
They also want young people to know that violence also destroys families.
"This was my only child. It hurts," said Connie Moore.
Moore's son was murdered in January of 2014. Now his five children don't have a father.
"They're leaving these kids behind," Moore said. "We got to take care of these kids. We got to look after their kids, and it hurts every day. It never goes away."
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Pastor Glen Grayson says it's time to end apathy and indifference.
"If we don't say nothing, then we're as guilty," he said. "We have a responsibility to combat the shooting with a voice saying, 'No more.'"
The march ended with a rally on the steps of the Hill House Auditorium.
"What do we need to do in order to get them to put down guns?" congressional candidate Lenny McAlister asked.
McAlister says voting helps. Education is another solution.
"We recognize that education is basically the path to all your dreams," Lewis Roman, president of the Alpha Phi Alpha Pittsburgh chapter, said. "It's the way to change your social-economic situation."
"Your education is much more powerful than an AK-47," Ayers said.