Join our mothers in ending gun violence

Two days ago, a 21-year-old student at my alma mater, Wesleyan University, was murdered by a man with a handgun. Johanna Justin-Jinich, a young woman with a beautiful future, was cut down as she entered the prime of her life by someone who had far-too-easy access to a killing tool and ammunition. She was killed in the Red and Black Café, a local gathering place that is run by a friend and classmate of mine.

Every day, families lose their loved ones due to preventable murders such as this.

This weekend we will observe Mother's Day across our nation. Mothers are organizing nationwide to make this year's observance focused on ending gun violence in our communities. In New York City, mothers and their supporters will gather in the Bronx tomorrow morning, Saturday the 9th, to march and witness to the loss of their children and other members of their families to gun violence. My friend Gloria Cruz and other members of the Million Moms March are playing a central role in holding that important gathering.

I invite New Yorkers to participate in that timely march and vigil; and people in other communities to find a way to do likewise through the Million Moms March or other groups. One way that anyway can act in support of ending gun violence, from wherever you are, is to support the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence, which is working on Capitol Hill at this very moment to close loopholes that permit the purchase and distribution of weapons that are killing thousands of members of our communities each year. The Fellowship of Reconciliation was a cosponsoring endorser of the "God Not Guns" initiative affiliated with the Brady Campaign — please join us in addressing this important issue.