SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Families of youth who have lost their lives to gun violence gathered for multiple hours across the state capitol to demand change Friday.
This comes after a weekend filled with gun violence in Sacramento, and families are now calling on lawmakers and city officials to change it.
"People are scared and like it's these young people that have dreams and they never actually get to finish those dreams because their life got cut short by gun violence," said Azaliah Smith, member of Voice of the Youth.
Smith, 16, says she lives in fear for her life in Sacramento daily.
"It's these people that aren't even involved in any gangs or anything and they're still getting shot at. These kids aren't necessarily the target but at that point it doesn't matter," said Smith.
In the last week alone 18-year-old Daani Partridge died in a shooting. In a separate incident, two teens were arrested and accused of shooting and killing a man near a light rail station.
"It's an epidemic of gun violence for our young people. I'm not surprised by anything that is happening right now. Currently what's happening right now is everything we predicted," said Berry Accius, community advocate and founder of Voice of the Youth.
Those attending are survivors of gun violence, youth fighting against it, and parents who have lost their children.
Victoria Fothetti-Murray is the mother of Antonio Rocha. She says her son was killed at a graduation party in Carmichael trying to save his friend in 2022.
"Fighting for him, being his voice is the only way I know how to cope. And help to hopefully prevent it from happening to any other families. Because it's a nightmare every day waking up to a nightmare you never actually wake up from," said Fothetti-Murray.
Teens like Malai Roper say the issue is with social media and how easy it is to get ahold of a gun.
"It takes a big part of social media. Cause social media, it's just drama, drama everywhere. First thing you scroll, only thing you see is drama, comments, drama. And some people they don't care what they say," said Roper.
Accius says they're calling on state, city and county officials to combat what's happening.
"Let's start talking to the people on the ground that's doing the work. Lets start talking to the victims. Let's start realizing that the young voices that are not perpetuating this violence also need to be at the table as well," said Accius.
Many of the mothers and youth at the rally say they are willing to be mentors and help other families cope with the loss of loved ones. You can reach out to Voice of the Youth if you'd like help.
