The annual event was held in recognition of National Crime Victims Rights week. As part of the ceremony, more than a hundred names of crime victims were read out loud, and each time a name was called a bell was rung.
For Jacqueline Kelly’s family, the bell rang twice. Once for each of her two sons, Kwaze’ R. Kelley and Domnick D. Floyd, who were both killed because of gun violence. Kwaze’ was killed in 1999 and Domnick was killed in 2013.
“I’ve been hurt,” Kelly said. “So hurt, but I give it to the Lord, and he has kept me and I thank him for that, and for all the other people who are suffering the same way that I am, we all have to keep each other up in prayer, never give up. We will never stop.”
Kelly is part of the group Mothers on a Mission. She says they’re working on ways to prevent youth from falling into gun violence by offering support and guidance.
“Pray for the youth, don’t push them aside, you know ask them, do they need help and if they have problems, can you help them instead of kicking them to the curb, lift them up,” she said.
Kelly adds she’d like to see government officials create programs for youth and enact stricter gun laws to keep firearms off the street.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker spoke at the event. He encouraged attendees to continue advocating against violent crime.
“It’s nice to be here one day and kind of come together with people who are like-minded individuals, but we got to be out there to change minds, and make people recognize that we won’t stand for this as a community, because too many families have lost loved ones,” he said.