Pine Bluff students make pledge against gun violence

PINE BLUFF, Ark – On Wednesday, hundreds of students at Pine Bluff schools took part in a pledge and had conversations with members of the community about the impact gun violence has made during the National Day of Concern about Young People and Gun Violence.

This event is also part of the Words not Weapons Initiative. Jesse Turner who is with the city's Community Affiliate Network, said the message needed to be shared after past homicides in recent years have involved young people.

"A lot of them knew the kids who were killed, from ages 16 up to 18 and we have had children as young as 13 years old and that's too young, too soon," Turner said.

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Two mothers who lost their children to shootings also spoke during events held at several schools in Pine Bluff about the pain gun violence has on families.

"Hopefully we get through to them and they understand that one minute of bad choices ends with a lifetime of pain," Rovetta Haltiwanger said.

Voices of Black Mothers United director Slyvia Bennett-Stone said she also lost her child to gun violence and hopes the students taking the pledge view it as "a symbol of hope."

"I believe the more we do, it helps us heal," Bennett-Stone said.

They all say they hope that having this conversation can lead to a wider call for change

"So, if they can learn there are people who care about them that's what we need," Turner said.

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Turner said in total they spoke with over 600 students from various schools around the city and he wants this to be the start of continuing towards a better path.

"We told them look if you know of someone with a gun, talk to someone about it because it may be the very thing that saves your life," Bennett-Stone said.