CAMDEN, N.J – County officials marched in support of the 5th Annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day hosted by the Camden County Freeholder Board in conjunction with civic partners like Moms Demand Action and the Center for Family Services on Saturday, June 8.
Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. and Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez joined other county officials at the march and rally.
“Every day that we don’t dramatically alter the way we think about firearm possession and sales, we lose hundreds of innocent lives to gun violence. Even in New Jersey, between 6,000 and 10,000 guns are bought and sold every month,” Cappelli said in a press release. “More people died from gun violence in 2017 than in any other year since 1968. It’s time for something to change and we have to lead the charge.”
The rally took place outside of City Hall in Camden where attendees heard speakers talk about the importance of ending gun violence and increasing awareness of the dangers of firearms in America.
Freeholders Cappelli and Rodriquez were joined by several prominent gun safety advocates and individuals affected by gun violence. They included:
- Shani Nuckols – Local Lead for Camden County Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
- John Jenkins Jr. – 2019 Everytown Survivor Fellow
- Jeannine Coyne – UUCCH
- Erica Romanos Be SMART Safety
- Autumn Coleman – Urban Promise Academy – Survivor
- Ava Madarieta – Collingswood High School Students Demand Action
- Peggi Breuninger and Becky Langer from Crisis Response Canines
Officials’ and guest remarks were followed by a performance by the Royal Brass Band, the a march from City Hall down Market Street.
“We will continue to raise our voices until we are heard. The status quo in America is not working for the people and families affected by the scourge of gun violence,” Cappelli said. “The first and most important step is to raise awareness about the widespread and devastating effects of gun violence on individual lives. Then we can start a genuine conversation on how to address the problem.”
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