By Lincoln DePradine
“Sufficient is sufficient — Finish The Violence” was one of many repeated chants as Torontonians marched downtown, displaying frustration with shootings within the metropolis that proceed to say a number of lives.
The “Neighborhood March In opposition to Gun Violence”, which took protestors from Nathan Phillips Sq. to the grounds of the Ontario Legislative Meeting at Queen’s Park, was endorsed by greater than a dozen organizations.
The audio system rallying the group earlier than the beginning of the march via the streets included Aretha McCarthy, who based the group, DevelopMe Youth, in November 2018.
“We’re right here,” stated McCarthy, “to point out solidarity as a group and to say sufficient is sufficient. Whether or not you’re right here since you’ve been immediately affected by gun violence or whether or not you’re right here as an ally to help, we are saying welcome and thanks for becoming a member of us.”
Using weapons in violent incidents is “very prevalent” in Toronto, “with incidents occurring day-after-day,” organizers stated in explaining the explanations for the protest, including that the march was “in solidarity with moms, fathers, siblings, members of the family and the group who’ve been impacted by gun violence”. One of many particular causes for the occasion, they stated, was in honour of “Nationwide Day of Remembrance for Victims of Murder”.
One other was in tribute to Louis March, who grew to become famend in Toronto and throughout Canada for his tireless advocacy calling for an finish to violence, particularly gun-related incidents.
March, who died July 20 at Sunnybrook Hospital at 68, was chief of the Zero Gun Violence Motion that was based in 2013.
“Right now, we’re right here to have fun the lifetime of Louis March, who would have been proper right here with us. He’s right here with us in spirit, although,” stated Efia Tekyi-Annan, co-executive founding father of Black Lives for Change.
“Right now, we’re right here to march in solidarity; as we speak, we’re right here to help and uplift the survivors, in addition to the victims, of gun violence.”
In accordance with police figures, shootings decreased in Toronto in 2023 however gun violence has been on the rise this yr.
Thus far in 2024, 35 folks have died in 338 shootings in Toronto. In all of 2023, there have been 231 shootings and 22 gun-related deaths.
