CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (PIX11) — The sidewalks of Brooklyn were ablaze with orange on Thursday morning as students from Launch Expeditionary Learning Charter School led a powerful march through the streets of Crown Heights.
Their bright orange shirts stood as a bold statement against gun violence, marking the start of the school’s annual walkout and rally.
Hundreds of middle schoolers, local leaders, and community members gathered at Restoration Plaza for the event, held ahead of National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend. The rally was more than a protest—it was a collective call for a safer future, echoing from the voices of Brooklyn’s youth.
As the crowd settled, 12-year-old Nevaeh, a seventh grader at Launch, stepped onto the stage to recite a poem. Her words moved the audience.
“I thought of my families that I have lost and who I love the most. And I just thought if I stay strong for them and write this, I could come together and stay strong for them. I put my emotion into it, said Nevaeh.
Nevaeh’s poem reflected a painful reality shared by many in her community. She lost both her uncle and grandfather to gun violence before she ever had the chance to meet them.
The rally was not only about speeches. Students performed dances, sang, and shared research on public health solutions to gun violence. Their creativity and determination underscored the urgency of their message.
Aubrey Phillip, another seventh grader, shared her personal story.
“This means a lot for me because I was kind of involved with gun violence before because there was somebody following me for several blocks and they had a gun in their hand," said Phillip.
In December, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez reported that 2024 was the safest year ever for gun violence in the borough, with record lows for both shooting incidents and victims, lower even than the previous low set in 2019. Shootings decreased by 15%, shooting victims by 14%, and homicides by 6% compared to 2023.
Organizers and educators alike emphasized the importance of student involvement. Asha Haynes, a seventh-grade teacher at Launch, said, “Students just being able to be aware of the violence that’s happening in their community—how can they be agents of change?”
Haynes highlighted the value of student voices and partnerships with organizations like Save Our Streets, noting that events like these help spread the message and bring more resources to the community.
Through their voices and actions, these young leaders are calling for change—one step, one poem, and one conversation at a time.
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