By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Backers of tougher gun laws gathered Friday evening in Downtown Bloomington to take part in a March For Our Lives.
A murder victim’s mother, a high school teacher, and Bloomington’s mayor were among the speakers at the second annual event, organized by Bloomington-Normal Youth Activists.
“Regardless if you’re Caucasian, regardless if you’re African-American, we’re going to keep marching, we’re going to keep talking. We’re going to be heard,” said Dameca Kirkwood.
Her son, Trevonte, 27, was shot to death last October in the 1300 block of North Oak Street, on Bloomington’s near west side.
Bloomington Police are still looking for hisLocal activists rally for stricter gun laws to curb deadly violence killer. Dameca Kirkwood urged parents to go back to the basics with their children.
“Where are the morals? Where are the Sunday dinners? Let’s keep talking. Let’s come together,” Kirkwood said.
Bloomington High School Teacher Brandon Thornton said he was hesitant to speak at the rally because teachers are accused of brain washing students on the gun issue.
Thornton said educators don’t look forward to summertime because they’re afraid they’ll read about getting caught up in the violence.
“This is only my eighth year of teaching, and I already have two students who have been featured. One’s dead, and one is a shooter,” Thornton said.
Mayor Tari Renner said the National Rifle Association is dividing the country with a phony argument that the government wants to take away guns from law-abiding people.
“As long as you’re a responsible gun owner, nobody is going to touch your gun,” said Renner.
“The NRA is lying, and that’s one of the most absurd things that’s dividing our country.”
“We have fights over something that the rest of the world does not fight over. We fight over guns, gays, and global warming, and nobody else does,” Renner told the group of about 70 people who gathered on the steps of the McLean County Museum of History.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
