News from Minneapolis, MN

Nearly 200 people attended the Remembrance of Life event at the Church of the Ascension in Minneapolis. Zuki Ellis of Protect Minnesota spoke movingly of the loss of her brother, and the lasting grief of that loss. When it came time to hang a photo of a lost loved one on the Remembrance of Life tree, a line extended far down the center aisle. Each person spoke the name of a loved one and hung a photo on the Remembrance of Life tree, as a bell rang for each victim of gun violence. From Death to Life/Two Mothers healing group members explained the stages of grief and asked friends and community members to “speak the name of our child” to be of comfort to a bereaved family. Not hearing the name of the lost loved one is what hurts the most, said Mary Johnson, the group’s founder. MADDADS president V.J. Smith urged the community to get involved to stop the violence. Attendees committed themselves to help with violence prevention efforts and signed a petition urging legislators to support prevention by keeping guns out of the wrong hands.