2/14 Silent March to Rise Above Gun Violence

By: Monique Thornton
Community Health Senior

Marchers gather for a group photo on the steps of the University Chapel.

Even though the Silent March to Rise Above Gun Violence did not produce much audible noise, its power was felt among all the marchers. On February 14, 2013, in the wake of terrible gun-related tragedies such as the events at Sandy Hook Elementary and the murder-suicide that claimed the lives of two University students and injured another, marchers were both mourning lives lost and calling for action.

Gun violence has become ubiquitous in the United States, and having tragedy hit so close to home has students, staff, faculty, and neighbors coming out to support better gun control. Hailing the slogan, “Be the FEARLESS change you want to see in the world!” the Theta Theta Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; the University of Maryland Center for Health Equity, School of Public Health; University of Maryland the Office of Diversity and Inclusion; the Black Student Union; the Latino Student Union; the University of Maryland Chapter of the NAACP; and the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center welcomed all and any, gathering a crowd of about 40 people.

Dr. Stephen Thomas, director of the University of Maryland Center of Health Equity and Trevoi Williams, member of the Theta Theta Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. address marchers in the Stamp Student Union.

Marchers showcase their green awareness ribbons for the march. Green ribbons similar to these were given out during the 2013 State of the Union address to remember the victims of gun violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“Armed” with green awareness ribbons and glow sticks, they marched from the Nyumburu Terrace, across the Mall, to the University Chapel, where they grouped together to share a few words. Spirits hung heavy in this crowd of people, sharing the need for more community action and more awareness.

Marchers pass Jimenez Hall, heading toward the Mall.

Marchers cross the Mall, heading to the University Chapel.

The march ended with a moment of reflection: reflection on the pain, the loss, and the impact of gun violence. Marchers bowed their heads and spoke aloud the names of those they had lost to gun violence. Their soft whispers were proclamations that gun violence touches many more people that we would like to believe. Their voices, their tears and sniffles, were a testimony to the need for change. But will change come?

Once at the University Chapel, marchers group together and share their stories and thoughts. 

In Annapolis, legislators are paying attention to the tragedies and the debate over gun control in Maryland has been ignited. The topic of debate: the legislation put forth by Gov. O’Malley last month. It would ban the sale of assault rifles, limit magazine size to 10 bullets, and that is not all. Legislators are debating whether there should be limits on the ability of people with mental illness to purchase guns. Currently, state law prohibits the sell of guns to persons who have been in a mental institution for more than a 30-day period. O’Malley’s ban would prohibit sales to persons who have been court-ordered into treatment because of symptoms of severe mental illness. To prevent people prohibited under O’Malley’s bill from purchasing guns in a different state, a provision to make a database of these individuals accessible to other states has been included.

It may take time for anything to be passed, with hundreds trying to voice their opinion on the matter and legislators still struggling with some provisions of the bill. No matter what side you stand on, this is your chance to speak up or use your silence to further the cause. Be the FEARLESS change you want to see in the world!

And if you support the march but could not attend, help start a trend on Twitter. Use #gunkontrol and help the Theta Theta Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi; the University of Maryland Center for Health Equity, School of Public Health, and many others bring awareness to gun control and gun violence. Also check out Marylander’s to Prevent Gun Violence, an organization that has reserved Lawyers' Mall in Annapolis, MD for its March 1^st Rally to Prevent Gun Violence in support of the "Firearm Safety Act of 2013.