The City of Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne UNITED held a news conference to debut a video that aims to raise awareness. The video highlights the epidemic of homicide in the African-American community.
Director of Fort Wayne UNITED, Iric Headley welcomed those in attendance and prepared the audience for the video.
“For some it could be a call for action and for others it might be new information, but for so many in our community it’s a bitter reality,” said Headley.
The video opened announcing homicide as the leading cause of death for young black men. The audience also heard all the men in video say “It could have been me” meaning they could have been affected by gun violence.
During the gathering Senior Pastor of New Covenant Worship Center, Luther Whitfield, said funerals are some of the unfortunate services he provides for his center. He also spoke about how the faces of the young children experiencing loss affect him.
“My goal is to see that we wipe away the tears of one of those kid’s eyes. That they don’t have to endure that loss again,” said Whitfield.
Mayor Tom Henry made a clear call to action. He praised the initiative and said, even though Fort Wayne UNITED has a board of directors and a small band of volunteers, he hope that number grows.
“I’d like to make that band into an army and really take this thing on in an aggressive fashion,” said Henry.
Find the video created by Fort Wayne UNITED here.
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