Nonprofit Group Marches Against Youth Violence in Charleston

Community Unites to Combat Youth Violence in Charleston

A group of around a dozen individuals gathered in the heart of Charleston to participate in a peaceful march aimed at addressing the growing issue of youth violence. The event, known as the March for Our Sons and Daughters, was organized by Motivate to Educate, a local nonprofit based in Charleston. This initiative seeks to bring together members of the community to raise awareness about the impact of violence and crime on young people.

Tony Lewis, the founder and president of Motivate to Educate, emphasized the importance of community unity in combating violence. He stated that the mission of the march is to highlight the issues that are often overlooked and to educate people on the realities of what is happening in their neighborhoods. "I am engaging with a lot of folks from different walks of life," Lewis said. "It’s just bringing the things to light which folks don’t know about, so we can educate them on what’s going on."

Lewis pointed out that the number of young people killed by guns is alarmingly high and that it will require collective effort to reduce this figure. He called for community leaders to focus on mental health and strategies to keep youth engaged and off the streets. "Social economics, employment, poverty, all those things come under the umbrella of violence," he explained. "So if we can fix those and work on those things together, I think we can curve and solve the problem."

Recent data highlights the severity of gun violence among youth in South Carolina. According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, firearms were the second leading cause of death among young people up to 17 years old in 2023. The statistics are particularly concerning when looking at the disproportionate impact on young Black men. In 2023, young Black men aged 15 to 34 made up 3.6% of the state’s population but accounted for 46% of all gun homicide deaths.

Ruth Ann Harrison, who lost her son to gun violence 17 years ago, shared her personal experience and urged others to turn their pain into action. "My son Michael was my joy," she said. "When we turn the pain into action, we can see the results. I just want to encourage all the mothers to know that you can go on even though it hurts. It’s not the time to be against each other, it’s time to come together."

Event participants also emphasized the need for elected officials to take a more active role in addressing the gun violence epidemic. Gordon Cashwell, director of Without Walls Ministry, stressed that leaders should be involved in the community and serve as positive examples. "Elected officials are leaders, they’re not just managers, they’re not just politicians, but we look to them for guidance as examples," he said. "Part of the example of any individual should be being involved in the community."

Cashwell believes that elected officials should be actively walking the streets and mentoring children to keep them in school and away from trouble. Harrison, who continues to support other mothers who have lost children to gun violence, agrees that change must start with those in power. "I’m asking and I’m pleading to please stop the gun violence," she said. "And that not only hurts the mother, it hurts the whole family. I’m begging and I’m asking, please y’all, let us come together. Let us reason together."

The march took place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hampton Park, serving as a powerful reminder of the community's commitment to fighting youth violence and working towards a safer future for all.