New York - As gun violence in Brooklyn inner cities continues to shatter families throughout the nation, grieving parents are doing more than relying on the judicial system for answers. When Trevonne Winn, 23, formerly of Belmont, Trinidad, was murdered last month on Nostrand Avenue and Farrugut Road, in what authorities called, a case of mistaken identity, his mother Tracy immediately turned to her pastor and sought advice from her country's consulate in downtown Manhattan. After her son's interment in South Carolina where they both lived, Tracy joined forces with Michael Tucker whose son was killed by police officers nine years ago. "Mr Tucker is a God-send who should be supported by every parent," she said.
Tucker is the brainchild behind Lay the Guns Down Campaign, an advocacy group aimed at highlighting what he calls "an epidemic that is killing our children." Tucker's organisation, initially a one-man campaign against gun violence, has gained traction nationwide with a series of 30-second public service announcements by influential politicians, artists and sports personalities. Recently, the campaign has collaborated with Teen News Net and Black Voice to channel the energy and creativity of inner city kids into artistic and literary endeavours. Tucker has also allied himself with Brett Scudder, another concerned parent who founded SISFI, an organisation noted for combating all forms of social and psychological violence, including cyber-bullying among teens. This too has struck a national chord, as several suicides in the past year have been attributed to this form of violence.
"I have never been angry with the judicial system," Tucker stated. "My energy is to create awareness and end the violence so that parents and families will never have to suffer this extraordinary pain of losing a child in this manner." He remains optimistic that his hard work is paying off. "As long as kids are nurtured to respect themselves, and given the opportunity to succeed, things will improve immeasurably," he added.
