'We are looking to stop the violence in our community;' Champaign residents rally to find solutions for gun violence
Share this @internewscast.com

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In Champaign-Urbana, community members are seeking solutions to the problem of gun violence. This initiative follows a recent incident where two teenagers were fatally shot.

A meeting on Wednesday marked the third meeting on this topic in the last seven days.

An organizer mentioned that last week’s meeting aimed to give a platform to the relatives of gun violence victims. While acknowledging the importance of this, she stated that Wednesday’s focus was on developing long-term strategies to ensure community safety.

“We are looking to stop the violence in our community,” Chyna Figueroa-Dixon said.

Figueroa-Dixon said she took a step back after a shooting on June 29, where two 16-year-olds were killed.

“I used to share my thoughts on social media, but I wasn’t taking action or getting involved on the ground,” Figueroa-Dixon said. “This realization motivated me to organize the meetings since last week.”

The continued effort is taking in the thoughts of people from all backgrounds.

“I have a segment called Perspectives where moms give their perspective just in case it might be a different perspective than the next mom,” Figueroa-Dixon added.

Figueroa-Dixon said they’ll take these perspectives and use them to build a plan to move forward, one that the people at this meeting hope takes root beyond this weekend and into a Champaign-Urbana free of this crime.

“I want to make this a long-term thing. We can’t just go have one weekend, no kids dead. Well, how about we go one month, no kids dead? One year, no kids dead?” Figueroa-Dixon said. “Now we’ve got to redirect our energy to just really saving our kids, saving our streets and not allowing gun violence to take people out of our community. We want to put a stop to it.”

Figueroa-Dixon said that for anyone who couldn’t make this meeting, there is a similar event planned for Sunday at the Champaign Public Library at 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Suspect Arrested for Stealing Rental Boat and Sailing from Florida Keys to Cuba

KEY WEST, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office…

South Carolina Man Convicted in Connection to 2023 Hotel Shooting Death

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – A South Carolina man was found guilty in…

Judge Rejects Plea Deal for 9/11 Plot Organizer Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

A panel of federal appeals court judges on Friday threw out a…

Texas Flood Tragedy: Family Informed of Loved Ones’ Deaths After Extensive Search

KERR COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Ryen Brake and his father Robert have…

Mysterious Attempted Assassin of Trump, Thomas Crooks, Stays Unidentified

This Sunday, presents a special report: “The Plot to Kill Trump: One…

AI Recruiters: The Future of Job Interviews

Wafa Shafiq, a 26-year-old Canadian marketing professional and lifestyle influencer, has been…

How the New Tax Bill Will Affect Your Finances

With the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill” passed and signed, wealthy Americans are…

Fossil Dating Back 70 Million Years Discovered Beneath Museum Parking Lot

DENVER (KDVR) – The Denver Museum of Nature and Science announced on…

US Military Intensifies Drone Warfare Following Hegseth’s Orders

WASHINGTON () Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a new directive to…

Families Worried About Cemetery Upkeep

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Families are sharing their concerns over the treatment…

Three Fatalities and Home Destroyed Amidst Flash Flooding in New Mexico Village

SANTA FE, N.M. (NEXSTAR) A New Mexico mountain village prepared Wednesday for…

Fifth Participant in University of Iowa Pro-Palestine Protest Enters Guilty Plea

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A second individual involved in the disturbances at…