There was a loud name for an finish to gun violence in Toronto as a coalition of organizations got here collectively for a march Saturday.
Organizers mentioned the gathering was an opportunity to ship a powerful message to higher ranges of presidency and communities to take motion.
“To unfold the message of consciousness that issues have gotten method uncontrolled within the metropolis,” mentioned Marcell Wilson, the founding father of One by One Motion.
The rally comes one month after the demise of JahVai Roy, eight, who was struck and killed by a stray bullet whereas sleeping in his mattress in his North York residence.
His mom, Holly Roy, says she’s ensuring her voice is heard — for him.
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“I’m nonetheless very numb, I miss my son and that is why we’re right here at the moment,” she mentioned.
“They’re taking our family members … and we have to come collectively as a result of this shouldn’t occur to anyone.”
Toronto police introduced simply days in the past the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect, who has been charged with first-degree homicide and 5 firearms offences.
Two different suspects — a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, who was 17 on the time of the taking pictures — stay at giant and are needed for first-degree homicide.
Wilson says violence has been on the rise, and the ages of these concerned are getting youthful.
“It’s trending so far as excessive violence being dedicated by youthful and youthful folks, and JahVai was the youngest member of my group, so it hits deeper for us,” he mentioned.
Because the rally marched from Nathan Phillips Sq. to Queens Park, members urged communities and policymakers to acknowledge the issue.
“If we don’t mobilize now, it’s simply going to proceed to worsen,” mentioned Rita Asare, the manager director of the Black Motion Protection Committee.
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