On Earth Peace event during Church of the Brethren Annual Conference calls for an end to gun violence

By Donna Parcell

Three million children witness a shooting each year in the United States. Every month an average of 70 women in the US are shot and killed by an intimate partner. Nearly 1 million women alive today have been shot or shot at by an intimate partner. Firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and teens–386 school shootings have occurred since Columbine on April 20, 1999, and more than 356,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since Columbine. Every day, 120 Americans are killed with guns, and more than 200 are shot and wounded.

These facts are disturbing to say the least, and as members of a peace church many Brethren have decided to say enough is enough. During this year’s Annual Conference, On Earth Peace and its new Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team encouraged Conference attendees to wear orange on Thursday, July 6, and join in a march to Cincinnati’s city hall for a vigil and public witness about gun violence.

A group of about 100 people gathered behind an orange banner stating, “We can end gun violence,” and walked to city hall while singing “Down by the Riverside.” Orange sashes were provided to those who did not have orange clothing so all could be in solidarity. Some carried banners stating, “End gun violence” and “Disarm Hate,” others wore orange shirts stating, “We can end gun violence” or “Moms demand action for gun sense in America.” Parents walked with their young children on their shoulders or pushed them in strollers, expressing concern over their children’s futures. Older children walked arm-in-arm with their parents or friends. Young adults and older adults all joined together to support the cause.

Upon arrival at city hall, the group was welcomed by Sandi Evans Rogers, a Church of the Brethren pastor from Frederick Md.

Cincinnati vice-mayor Jan-Michelle Kearney, who wore an orange dress, voiced her concern over gun violence and reiterated that something needed to change.

Gerald Rhoades from Harrisburg, Pa., led the group in a litany of remembrance and advocacy.

Story tellers including former Annual Conference moderator and retired pastor Belita Mitchell, and Mandy Park from Knoxville, Md., relayed instances of the tragedy of gun violence and why things must change. Krista Woodworth, Ohio state lead for Moms Demand Action (https://momsdemandaction.org), also shared stories of the impact of gun violence.