LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – End Gun Violence Michigan has announced over 30 events statewide to educate the public and call attention to new gun laws being enforced in the state.
From Detroit, all the way to Marquette, local organizations are hosting marches, vigils, and educational events for the ‘Silence the Violence’ Month of Action this June.
Churches, school groups, and non-profits have been working with End Gun Violence Michigan to host these events and make sure people know about new gun safety laws that went into effect in February.
The movement started at the Church of the Messiah in Detroit. The church’s Pastor, Barry Randolph, has been a long-time advocate for End Gun Violence.
“Gun violence is not just this sad thing that just happens. It’s not like the weather. We have gun violence because of laws and politics made in Lansing and in Washington, D.C.” Pastor Randolph said. “We have gun violence because some people, mostly those who make manufacture, and sell guns, have decided that having money in their pocket is more important than burying children in the ground.”
Just yesterday, a 17-year-old died durring a shooting in Lansing, where 6 others under the age of 20 were hospitalized.
Reverand Chris Yaw with Saint David’s Episcopal in Southfield said the shooting is an example of why they believe there is more work to be done.
“From our state’s largest cities to our smaller towns from metro Detroit to the UP we are all uniting against gun violence it’s very exciting I’m getting chills down my back just seeing how this coalition has come together.” Reverend Yaw said. “Families of all types, We’re all coming together and we’re saying ‘No more.’ We don’t want to live in a world where gun violence is the norm.”
Hailey Huggett, an 11th grader from Holland, Michigan, said she’s helping to host two different events, a day of solidarity, and a Teach-in.
“I want to not only educate my community on the importance of gun safety but also I want to empower them to make safe choices with their firearms and in turn protect our community as a whole.” Said Huggett
She said she’ll be handing out gun locks and information packets so her community can learn more about the newly required background checks and extreme risk protection orders.
“We started ‘Silence of Violence’ to remember those who we lost and to give people space to grieve and hopefully to heal.” Reverand Randolph said. “But we found out that that was not enough because people kept dying. It’s not enough to provide healing if we don’t address the root causes of the wound. So we decided to organize and demand change in Lansing”
30 different events are scheduled in 24 locations, including a vigil and gun lock blessing and distribution at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette on June 8th, the time is still to be decided.
- FLINT: May 25, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM, Rally and March from Flint City Hall (1101 Saginaw St.)
- YPSILANTI: June 1, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Community Non-Violence Awareness Training, Huron Heights Apartments (669 Woburn Drive)
- ROYAL OAK: June 2, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, Gun Violence Awareness Town Hall Meeting, First United Methodist Church (320 W 7th St.)
- NILES: June 3, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Active Shooter Mitigation, Trinity Episcopal Church ( 9 S 4th St)
- GROSSE POINTE: June 6, 6:15 PM – 8:30 PM, Students Demand Action Panel, Grosse Pointe Woods Public Library (20680 Mack Avenue)
- GRAND RAPIDS: June 7, Gun Violence Awareness Day Resource Fair, Butterworth Hospital Lobby 10 am – 12 pm & Devos Children’s Hospital Lobby 2 pm – 4 pm (100 Michigan St NE)
- KALAMAZOO: June 7, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Premiere of “What Went Wrong”, Urban Alliance (1009 E Stockbridge Ave., Kalamazoo 49001)
- MARQUETTE: June 8, Time TBD, Gun Safety Vigil and Gun Lock Blessing/Distribution, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (201 E. Ridge St., Marquette, 49855)
- YPSILANTI: June 8, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Stop the Violence Community Outreach, Prospect Park ( 550 N Prospect Rd)
- FLINT: June 9, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, New Legislation Teach-In, Vernon Chapel AME (5802 Dupont St., Flint 48505)
- MILFORD: June 9, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Screening of Gabby Giffords’ film “Won’t Back Down,” Milford Independent Cinema (945 E Summit St)
- HOLLAND: June 9, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Wear Orange Event, Centennial Park, (250 Central Ave. Holland 494923)
- EAST LANSING (Note: This event is for ages 12-18): June 12, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Soul Box Art Project, East Lansing Public Library (950 Abbot Rd)
- ADA: June 11, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Ada Township Park Gazebo (1180 Buttrick Ave SE, Ada, 49301)
- ST. JOSEPH: June 14, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, Candle Light Vigil, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (914 Lane Drive St., St. Joseph 49085)
- DETROIT: June 15, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Silence the Violence March & Community Fair, Church of the Messiah (231 E Grand Blvd)
- TRAVERSE CITY: June 15, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Community Resource Fair for Teen Wellness, Traverse City District Library (610 Woodmere Ave)
- INKSTER: June 19, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Peace Walk, Old City Hall (27301 South River Dr.)
- GRAND HAVEN: June 22, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Silent March to End Gun Violence, Central Park (N. Fifth St. and Columbus Ave.)
- OXFORD: June 22, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3rd Annual March with Oxford, Centennial Park (41 S Washington St)
- MUSKEGON HEIGHTS: June 22, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Expungement Fair and Gun Safety Event, Lakehawks Community Center (95 W. Broadway Ave., Muskegon Heights, 49444)
- WHITEHALL: June 24, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Gun Violence Teach In, White Lake Community Library (3900 W White Lake Dr)
- EAST LANSING: June 25th, 6:00PM – 8:00PM, Soul Box Gallery Opening, East Lansing Public Library (950 Abbot Rd)
- HOLLAND: June 27, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Teach In on the New Gun Violence Legislation, Herrick District Library – North Branch (155 Riley St., Holland 49424)
- ANN ARBOR: June 29, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, Program of Remembrance, Education, and Action , St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church (1679 Broadway St)
- DETROIT: June 30, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Annual Charles W. Reid March and Rally, Mosque 1 (19160 Evergreen Rd) and O’Hair Park (19400 Pembroke Ave)