AUBURN GRESHAM— The mothers, families and friends who have lost loved ones to violence have one message for Chicagoans during Mother's Day.
"Put the guns down. No shooting for Mother’s Day Weekend."
Mothers, along with concerned community members, stood in front of the Memorial Wall, a tribute to the children and adults lost to gun violence in front of St. Sabina Church, 1210 West 78th Pl. on Friday.
Mom's who've lost children to violence have a mother's day message for Chicago. pic.twitter.com/LEsa93r1Wd
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) May 6, 2016
Yolan Henry-Corner lost her daughter Nova, and her 10-month-old granddaughter Ava, the daughter of former Chicago Bull Eddy Curry, to a violent incident.
"For eight years, mothers from every faction in the city have come together. Not all these kids were killed due to police brutality or gun violence," Henry-Corner said. "For me, it was from an act that could've been prevented. We need the outcry from our community."
Henry-Corner says that she is involved with Chicago Citizens for Change, a group that helps families during the immediate aftermath of a violent death.
"Who knows how to have a funeral for their child? No one does," Henry-Corner said. "We know what they are going though. No one plans for this."
Here's Yolan Henry-Corner. Her daughter/g-daughter are on the wall for violence victims here at St. Sabina. pic.twitter.com/M0FmNSgLaz
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) May 6, 2016
Johneece Cobb's nephew Edwin Cook was killed in West Englewood last year.
"It's emotional. This is the second Mother's Day without him," Cobb said. "It's hard because the violence hasn't stopped and it's getting worst. I've been to funerals of his friends already."
Many of the mothers in attendance were members of groups such as Purpose Over Pain, Parents for Peace and Justice, and Moms Demand Action, among others.
Fr. Michael Pfleger, social activist and senior pastor of Saint Sabina, says it has been painful to watch the Memorial Wall grow.
"All you have to do is to see why we're doing this. If I see a kid on the street, we're doing it for them," Pfleger said. "I believe that more and more people are angry. More and more people are speaking up."
Activist Ja'Mal Green was in attendance at the rally. He said that the words of the mothers hit home for him.
"It's a lot of pain going through my body right now. I can't imagine losing a kid. I'm a father," Green said. "They have to wake up everyday knowing that their kid is gone. I'm looking for solutions. Everyone has to put forth an effort to stop this."
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
