Church, youth groups to march against gun violence

File photo.

Amid a number of murders and shootings in the community since the start of 2023, some residents have decided to host a march against gun violence on Sunday, August 20.

All residents are invited to join the “Stop the Violence March” that is being spearheaded by the Church of God Prophecy in Long Look and youth organisations of the Seventh and Eighth Districts.

Organisers say the march will begin at the East End Park and end at the Stickett in Long Look.

“The march is aimed at advocating against gun violence in our community and our territory. It is expected that the main participants will be the youth of our community. The theme of the event is “Put Down the Gun. Save the Generation,” said a press release from organisers.

The groups leading the effort also say the event is born out of the growing concerns of the negative impact of gun violence, especially on the territory’s youth.

“This impact is often initially unnoticed, but later manifests itself in the continued violence seen over the years. All and especially the youth are invited to participate in this important event,” the press release stated.

While the BVI remains a low-crime jurisdiction, residents have been concerned about the number of gun crimes that have been happening across the territory. The authorities say most of these shootings and murders are linked to the drug trade that some residents are part of.

Earlier in July, residents of the US Virgin Islands hosted a similar march against gun violence in their territory. They’ve recorded more 20 murders since the start of 2023.

For more information leading up to the “Stop the Violence March”, persons are asked to contact Cloriece Thomas at 284 344-6887 or Stephanie Russ Penn at 284 496-7155.

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