This year marks the 8th year that September 25th has been recognized as a day of remembering murder victims. In 2007, Congress designatedSeptember 25th as the “National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.” Established by the National Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) and unanimously approved by the Senate and House, this day honors the memory of victims who’ve been killed by violence and acknowledges the resulting long-term trauma for families, communities, and strives to promote public awareness. This special day gives us the chance to honor our community’s murder victims and pray for surviving family members forever changed by an act of violence.
Pastor John Girton, Jr. aka “Pastor G” and the Christ Missionary Baptist Church congregation will have a memorial tree demonstration on Friday, September 25, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. for family members impacted by homicide to tie a ribbon to a branch representing their loved one. The trees along the west side of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street between 30th and Eugene Streets; where Pastor G has camped for the past eighteen nights as the “Enough is Enough” 30-day Campaign continues to shine a light on the increased violence in Indianapolis.
The murder of a loved one robs the victim’s family of a mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, husband, wife, partner, grandparent, aunt, uncle, extended family member, friend, neighbor or colleague, and creates an overwhelming challenge to fill the void their absence creates. Survivors of homicide victims transform their pain and anger into power and action; by honoring the memory of their loved ones impacted by homicide. Through leadership, grief support and advocacy, survivors are reducing violence and promoting prevention and policy change on a local, state and national level.
While our action of tying a ribbon and acknowledging their loss cannot change the horrific past, it is our hope that our shared efforts will, at the very least, seek to remind us of the common bond we share as Americans. Their loss is our loss, and their pain is our pain.
About The Campaign: #UniteForChange.org was initiated by an Indianapolis Pastor who pitched a tent for 30 days in one of Indianapolis’ most violent communities to raise awareness of the senseless violence, encouraging unity and to initiate a proposal to construct an epicenter of empowerment and education as a resource in this fractured community. Learn more at the websitewww.UniteForChange.org
