SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dozens of elected officials, community activists and people personally impacted by gun violence marched to capitol, demanding change while honoring the lives of those lost.
In the leadup to the march, organizer and community activist Berry Accius they were denouncing the acts of cowardliness and that wouldn't tolerate these acts of gun violence.
Accius said he was outraged to see what police called a gang shootout on the streets of downtown Sacramento
"I think they need to see people are fed up with this kind of violence. And for those people that always say they only march and they only protest when police kill someone," he said. "That's when we make a big deal of shootings. No. A lot of us have that same exact energy. Unfortunately, it's not televised. This time it will be."
March organizers are hoping that after one week from the deadly shootout the community will come out in force to march from 7th and K Street to the Capitol.
"This is a community-wide problem," said Accius. "Gun violence is impacting everyone. If it's not impacting you right now eventually it will."
March to the Capitol
After a moment of prayer, personal stories and a word from city leaders, the crowd released balloons in memory of the gun violence victims. They then took their message to the streets, marching down K Street to the capitol.
As homicide statistics in Sacramento continue to rise, Jenifer Remond, whose daughter was lost to gun violence two years ago, said she's had enough and wants to see change. And she wants to start with investing in the city's youth.
"We need to have a place for the youth to go. We had it many years ago in the 80's where youth and different kids from different schools came together and they had sports and everything. They were together, but once they took that away, everyone went to the streets," she said.
Redmond is hopeful for the possibility of change, but said it needs to be an all-hands on deck effort with everyone in the city involved.
"Any little thing every day can make a difference, but we have to come together and fight."
