This Saturday, a march was held by concerned citizens in the community who hope to put an end to rising gun violence, one step at a time.
Under the name “Guns Down, Fists Up,” the march started at Lisbon Street Missionary Baptist Church and ended at the Sampson County Courthouse, where several speakers testified to how gun violence reshaped their entire lives. The demonstration was put together by George “Cost” Barksdale and Andreana Sellers-Barksdale, who manage the Living With A Purpose nonprofit organization. Together, the pair hope that through marches like these and other projects in the works, they can reach the lives of troubled youth and nip problems such as the rise in gun violence in the bud.
“In 2019, Clinton had one of the highest crime rates in the nation for a city of this size,” said Barksdale at the march. “In 2023, crime had risen by over 70 percent. One of our goals is to implement and adopt a little brother and little sister program here for at-risk youth. We want to work with families, community leaders and schools to provide a role model for our youth. We need all the help we can get to help us achieve this goal.”
In addition to Barksdale, several others were invited to speak at the march. Most of those who spoke have either lost someone or had a family member wounded as a result of gun violence.
“I lost my son on Nov. 5 in 2021, but the last time I talked to him was Nov. 4,” said Pamela Long of East Arcadia. “In the report, they said that my son died at 8 or 8:30. The last text that I have from my son, Shelton, was within that time. It said ‘I love you mom,’ which we said that all the time. That was the last conversation I had with my son. I tell my kids all the time, I have two other kids, ‘Tell your people that you love them.’ Regardless of what they do, it makes all the difference. Because that was the last conversation, I have no regrets. It’s simple, but it makes a difference.”
Dr Ruby Bell, whose son was shot in the Eastover Terrace community last month, also spoke up against gun violence. Bell’s son is currently still recovering from wounds sustained as a result of the shooting.
“It’s been a challenge for us, but we are so thankful that things are as well as they are,” said Bell. “My son survived, thank God, but there are so many who don’t. With that being said, my focus to counteract gun violence lies within our communities and may seem nontraditional, but we need God, not guns. Our communities have gone away from what’s important to our success and safety. We need faith-based organizations to collaborate with public safety organizations to educate the public about gun violence and promote community awareness.”
For the Living With A Purpose nonprofit organization, the march represents the first step in an effort to unite the community and reach the young lives that are struggling. According to Barksdale, the pair plan to have more marches like the one held Saturday throughout the year. In addition, Barksdale said that the aforementioned little brother and little sister program for at-risk youth could be started by the end of the year.
“This is just the beginning,” said Barksdale. “We hope to have more marches throughout the year. We also plan to have the big brother program together by fall or winter of this year, God willing.”