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Press Release
Organizations and impacted communities across North Carolina are coming together to curtail violence as the 60th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington approaches
WADESBORO, NC – Surviving family members and organizations are becoming part of a planning process and action being brought on by the North Carolina Stop Killing Us March & Rally, scheduled to come to Wadesboro, NC on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 10 a.m.
In July alone, Wadesboro has faced a mass shooting that was said to fire approximately 100 rounds, leaving 7 civilians shot. A young 22 year-old Black male father later died. The following weekend, another 27 year-old black male was shot and killed by a youth.
At nearly the same time the shootings were taking place in Wadesboro, miles away on the other side of the state, a beautiful baby-girl toddler in the person of 19 month-old Nia’Loni Sheptock was killed by gunfire in New Bern, NC.
According to recent data, Wadesboro, which sits 50 miles East of Charlotte, is amongst the top, when not ranking as number one on the list of “the most dangerous cities in North Carolina per capita.”
The gathering and coalitions are part of grassroots initiatives organized from the bottom up, for the sole purpose of saving lives which are disparately under the deadly and daily threat of widespread violence.
Concerns for community violence range from deadly acts of gang affiliation, domestic violence, deadly misconduct from “law enforcement,” racial terrorism, and government-sponsored legislative measures which have a violent impact.
The research confirms how the widespread violence endangers the most vulnerable and most oppressed communities disproportionately as a range of killers are at work.
Studies also show that youth today are no longer most likely to die from auto accidents or cigarettes. In 2020, the number one killer of youth became gun violence or “death from a firearm.”
Partnering organizations for the aforementioned direct action are working in conjunction with the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. Therefore the NC Stop Killing Us March will be held in Wadesboro, NC, the Saturday prior to the August 28th anniversary.
Thus far, coalition partners include but will not be limited to the following:
– The Stop Killing Us (SKU) Solutions Campaign/JUSTICE Ministration (Based in Burlington, NC)
– HOLLA! (Based in Morven/Wadesboro)
– NC Black Alliance (Based in Raleigh)
– Anson County Public Schools
– Atrium Health
– Healthy Blue
– NC Community Outreach and Wellness Center Inc. (Based in Washington, NC)
– NC Black Voters Matter (Based in Atlanta, GA)
– King Elite Allstars (National Champions – Cheerleading Squad based in Anson County)
– Anson County NAACP
– Fayetteville PACT
– New Rural Project (Based in Morven)
– Harvest Ministries of Wadesboro
– The Caraway Foundation (Based in Wadesboro)
– Emancipate NC (Based in Durham)
– Moms Ain’t Playin’ (Based in Charlotte)
– JustUs (Based in Charlotte)
– Anson Men of Action (Based in Wadesboro)
– Brothers 4 Life (Based in Charlotte)
– HELLO (Based in Charlotte)
– The Father Charlie Mulholland Catholic Worker House (Based in Cary)
– Supreme Home Care (Based in Wadesboro)
– Durham Homicide National Memorial Foundation
– Save Our Sons (Based in Raleigh)
– Sunny Keez Parties & Events (Based in Morven)
– E&M Diverse Consultants LLC (Based in Atlanta, GA)
– North Carolina Beat (“Raw News” Journal Based in Jacksonville)
– Cam CITYREACH Community Center (Based in Wadesboro)
– Bynum Educational Center (Based in Burlington)
– Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense (Based in NYC and NC)
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This hope-inspiring list of collaborative organizations continues to grow. A listing of business partners is also in the works.
To get your organization, church, mosque, or business’ name added to the “Stop Killing Us” list of partners, simply send an email with your contact person and contact information to gatewoodlovesjustice@gmail.com where the information will be viewed and subject to approval.
Partners, surviving family members, experts, and organizers, are meeting each Thursday via ZOOM at 7:30p as part of an NC Stop Killing Us Planning Session, leading up to the mass mobilization on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
The Zoom planning link is not public information and may be received upon request. For information, contact 919 939-6311.
