Pittsburgh area churches holding prayer walk to call for an end to gun violence
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - This morning, local churches combined forces in an effort to put an end to gun violence in Allegheny County.
For each ring of the bell, a name is read, but not just any name: names of friends and loved ones who have died from gun violence in Allegheny County.
"This is what we call a memorial for the lost."
These are faith-based groups coming together and saying enough is enough.
"We need to remember that real people are dying, real families are being broken. Communities are being distraught because of gun violence," said Paul E. Roberts, senior pastor at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.
The group, led by local pastors, started at Valley View Presbyterian Church and walked to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where Roberts is the pastor.
They, along with Marilyn Mulvihil, have made it their mission to blow the whistle and call for stricter gun laws.
"Banning assault weapons. Getting red flag laws so when someone is a danger to a community, we can let authorities know," Mulvihil said.
Mulvihill is the one who brought the idea of the names on shirts memorial to Pittsburgh.
"Too many people think, 'Oh it happened to somebody else, it's not real, it doesn't affect me so why should I care?' But when you see the t-shirt and the names and ages, that gets you in your gut," Mulvihil added.
Just Friday night — another person was added to the list of homicides by gun violence.
Allegheny County police said 34-year-old Dante Jones was shot and killed at a gas station when a silver SUV pulled up. One person hopped out and fired multiple rounds, and then the getaway driver sped away.
The group hopes they've sounded the alarm loud enough to get the attention of lawmakers, in hopes something will be done to slow down gun violence in Allegheny County.
"There's a quote that reads, 'I'll let my heart be broken by things that break the heart of God.' That's what we're hoping this memorial does: it breaks some hearts to cause some action," Mulvihil said.
And as we approach the one-year anniversary of the shooting death of 15-year-old Steven Eason, a case that still hasn't been solved, the group today said their main focus is on protecting youth, a population they believe will have a positive impact on the future of Allegheny County.
