The Columbus Indiana Area Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America has planned a vigil at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Columbus City Hall steps to honor victims of weekend shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.
Organizers also want to encourage residents to contact U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Todd Young for Indiana and encourage them to support legislation for universal background checks for gun buyers and the red-flag law.
The red-flag law is a gun violence prevention measure that permits police or family members to petition a state court to order the temporary removal of firearms from a person who may present a danger to others or themselves.
Cate Hyatt, one of the chapter leaders, said the gathering will last about 30 minutes to an hour and will probably include a few speakers. The Rev. Nic Cable, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus minister, was the first confirmed speaker.
“This is really about bringing the community together amid our grief and harnessing that toward effective action,” Cable said. “But I think the entire country still has been in a bit of shock.”
Hyatt mentioned that the names of all the victims in the two shootings would be read aloud at the gathering.
“This is just a way for the community to come together and show our support (for change),” Hyatt said. “And this is a way in general for the community to publicly say that this is a really important issue. This was just such an outrageous weekend that we just feel that we need to bear witness to this cause.”
Members of the local Moms Demand Action chapter have been planning to visit the Indiana offices for Braun and Young this month during the Congressional recess, Hyatt said.
Ann Herron of the local Moms group said her reason for planning to attend was very simple.
“I just don’t want to see more people die,” she said, adding that the tragedies such as this are often “a matter of people who can get guns too easily.”
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Why: To recognize victims of the most recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. And to encourage residents to support gun safety legislation.
When: 5 p.m. Thursday
Where: Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington St.
Information: Facebook page for Columbus Indiana Area Moms Demand Action Members.
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