‘We can’t do anything when we’re dead,’ says 9-year-old in response to deadly gun violence – WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio

Renier was one of about 150 young people who participated in the Young Scholars program. The Corinthian Baptist Church was one of three venues where the program was held.

The gathering also included a public demonstration in which young people from preschool to fifth grade took to the streets to chant positive messages and hold up self-made signs with positive messages for the public to see.

“What do we want? Stop gun violence!” chanted about 30 young scholars lined up along a sidewalk on James H. McGee Boulevard.

“What’s important? Stop gun violence!” they chanted, conveying a simple message to which many drivers responded with supportive honking.

This action is a direct response to the recent wave of gun violence that rocked the area last week: eight shootings, 19 victims, five deaths – most of them young people.

Organizers of the Young Scholars program work to teach emotional maturity and conflict resolution skills.

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“I am happy because we have to break this cycle. Our job is to educate the children. They bring many problems with them,” said Benjamin Speare-Hardy.

Another organizer, Dione Benson, said, “We focus on social and emotional learning and want to show children how to build positive relationships.”

Corinthian community members have witnessed the painful impact of gun violence on 14-year-old Corey Prater, one of two teenagers shot in the same incident.

“I don’t understand all these guns in our community,” one community member, Ms. Garcia, told News Center 7. “We have to deal with the problem.”

In the meantime, young people will continue to do everything they can to end deadly gun violence.

“Stop the gun violence!” they chanted. “What do we want? Stop the gun violence!”

They hope that the community will follow their example.

NOTE: The Young Scholars program runs for six weeks, with one week left of this year’s summer camp. The youth are involved at Corinthian and St. John’s schools, where they not only deal with social issues like gun violence, but also academic work.