MORE Justice holds fifth annual Community Problems Assembly to identify top priorities for community research and action
On October 25th, the gathered community voted on whether to continue the ongoing work in the areas of Gun Violence, Mental Health, and Affordable Housing and/or to address additional community problems.
PRESS CONFERENCE
One Monday, May 24, 2021, the MORE Justice organization held a press conference to call for a new approach to combat gun violence in Columbia, SC.
The City of Columbia must act now on gun violence, the time for just talk is over
On April 26, 2021, on Zoom, a network of 35 congregations and over 1,100 persons in the Midlands area assembled to discuss best practices and solutions for Mental Health, Affordable Housing, and Gun Violence. While the appropriate community stakeholders were present for Affordable Housing, Sheriff Leon Lott and Police Chief Holbrook were invited on several occasions but refused to attend. The Nehemiah Action is the largest and most diverse community gathering that happens in the Columbia area every year where over 1,100 people gathered who are deeply concerned about community issues.
Faith coalition calls for gun violence study and direction to curb the violence
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Data from Richland County law enforcement agencies shows gun violence is on the rise, and a group of faith-based leaders is calling on those agencies to do more about it.
MORE Justice hosted a news conference at Reid Chapel AME Church in Columbia on Monday and called for a formal study of gun violence in the area.
MORE Justice holds rally to address mental health, affordable housing, and gun violence in the Midlands
“We show up with a demonstration of people power to get clear commitments from officials,” another speaker said. “Because people in our community need to make choices between paying for rent and paying for groceries because kids are being kicked out of a classroom because people are being gunned down in our streets.”
Community organizers hold drive-in vigil to honor gun violence victims
A Columbia pastor led a brief ceremony Wednesday to remember the 20 Columbia residents who lost their lives to gun violence in 2019, placing roses upon 20 empty chairs and asking people in the crowd to observe a moment of silence for those killed.
Community members hold vigil for gun violence victims, call for new approach from law enforcement
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Community members gathered at Reid Chapel AME in Columbia on Wednesday for a drive-in vigil to honor victims of gun violence.
The leaders stressed that on September 13 there were five shootings in just one day in Richland County, and the focus of the vigil was to pray for those taken last year by gun violence and to call out to law enforcement to bring greater trust to communities to stop it from happening.
Local pastors call for more hands-on approach to tackle gun violence in Columbia
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) —A group of Columbia pastors is encouraging city leaders to implement a more hands-on approach to combating gun violence.