KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Over 100 people gathered at a Moms Demand Action Rally to End Gun Violence at Washington Square Park near Union Station on Saturday, just three days after a mass shooting at the conclusion of the Chiefs rally killed one woman and injured 22 others.
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Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas was among the crowd calling for common sense gun laws.
"And for the first time, I'm actually afraid to, like, walk around in my neighborhood at night, enjoy all the things Kansas City has to offer," Sarah Deeder, who participated in the rally, said. "Until we change gun laws, we aren't KC strong. I'm a proud citizen of Kansas City, but until we actually do something to make us safer, we can't call ourselves strong."
Crowd chants “enough is enough!”@MomsDemand @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/vIuXBz3Te8
— Caroline Hogan KSHB (@CarolineHoganTV) February 17, 2024
Representative Yolanda Young is one of many whose lost a loved one to gun violence in Kansas City. Her son was killed 15 months ago.
"It triggers thoughts of oh my gosh, another life has been taken," Young said. "It’s senseless."
The same is true for Carthesa Hutson. Not only did she lose a son, but a brother, as well.
"This week so many have been forced to become part of a club that no one wants to be a part of," Hutson said.
Even city officials like Mayor Quinton Lucas and Manny Abarca can speak to the fear they felt on Wednesday. Abarca was with his daughter and ran into Union Station to hide when they heard gunshots.
"She said, 'Daddy this is a drill right? This is a drill?'" the Jackson County legislator said. "I said, 'Yes, it is,' because in that moment I needed her to act like it was a drill."
2023 was the deadliest year on record for Kansas City, and Moms Demand Action is fighting so that trend can end.
"I’m angry, I’m frustrated," said volunteer Tara Bennett. "I’m frustrated because I know there are things that can be done, we just have to have the courage to do them."
They're standing together to end gun violence and protect our kids, as their signs read. Collectively putting their foot down and saying they're tired.
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