All articles tagged with #community healing
After a tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, Kristen Neville and Michael Burt, members of the community and family, quickly mobilized to support victims and promote healing through community gatherings, advocacy, and resilience efforts, emphasizing that recovery is a long-term process.
A mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis resulted in the deaths of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, with 18 others injured. The community mourns the victims, calls for healing, and urges action on gun violence and mental health issues. The shooter, a former student, died by suicide, and the incident has sparked widespread grief and demands for change.
Four years after George Floyd's murder, George Floyd Square in Minneapolis remains a site of ongoing protest and community healing. The area has transformed into a public memorial and a symbol of the fight against systemic oppression, with daily gatherings and performances by groups like Brass Solidarity. Despite some progress on community demands, activists insist that significant issues, such as ending qualified immunity, remain unresolved. The city continues to seek community input on the future of the site, acknowledging the deep trauma and ongoing need for racial justice.
Cody Smith, a former mayor, won the mayoral race in Uvalde, Texas, defeating Kimberly Mata-Rubio, a mother who has been advocating for stricter gun laws since her daughter was killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting. The race highlighted the town's divisions between those seeking healing and those demanding answers and accountability for the tragedy. Smith plans to consult with victims' families, school officials, and city leaders on memorializing the lives lost. The school campus is now closed, and a new school is being built.
The suspect in the Maine mass shooting, Robert Card, has been found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after a three-day manhunt. The shooting left 18 people dead, including four deaf locals, and three others injured. The community is now beginning the healing process, with officials expressing relief at the discovery of the suspect's body. President Joe Biden called for tighter gun controls in response to the tragedy.
The Baltimore Archdiocese organized a gun buyback event in West Baltimore, collecting 356 firearms, including handguns and semiautomatic weapons. While some questioned the effectiveness of buybacks in curbing violence, local leaders expressed hope for peace building. The event ran out of cash and gift cards, and organizers acknowledged the need to reach out to young people who are both victims and suspects of gun violence. The buyback aimed not only to reduce the supply of firearms but also to launch a place of hope and promote community healing. Elected officials emphasized the importance of addressing gun traffickers and sellers to tackle the root causes of violence.
Kimberly Mata-Rubio, the mother of a victim in the Robb Elementary School shooting, has announced her candidacy for mayor of Uvalde, Texas. Mata-Rubio's daughter was among the 21 lives lost in the tragic incident. She aims to bring the community together, bridge the gap, and move forward while honoring the victims. Cody Smith, a former mayor, is also running for the position. The special election is scheduled for November 7, and the elected mayor will serve a one-year term.
Generational trauma refers to the lingering effects of intense short-term or chronic stressors felt by a family or community. Symptoms of generational trauma can include depression, anxiety, or distrust of certain groups or institutions. Conventional one-on-one therapy may not always be the right way to help those suffering from generational trauma. Safe groups where people can heal from rejection or loss they’ve experienced can be more effective. Community healing spaces can also be helpful in addressing generational trauma.
The victim of the shooting outside Arlington Lamar High School has been identified as 16-year-old Ja'Shawn James Poirier. The accused shooter, a 15-year-old classmate, has been charged with capital murder. Vigils are planned to help the community heal. The school district has promised increased security measures and is evaluating the possibility of asking officers to begin their shifts earlier.