A group of D.C. students from Thurgood Marshall Academy, a Southeast D.C. charter school, met with city leaders Thursday seeking solutions to gun violence after their classmates died in homicide incidents.
Last year, Zaire Kelly, 16, was killed after being shot at in an attempted robbery case. Another 19-year-old student, Paris Brown, also lost her life in a shooting incident four months later.
“After Zaire, I felt numb. I think Paris just added to that numbness, but I know in my mind that I couldn’t become desensitized because I think that’s a flaw of my community – to become desensitized to deaths because they are happening so
Following her classmate’s death, Renford discussed how to react to the violence with her class, which led to the creation of a group of students called Pathways 2 Power, which strives to find solutions to counter gun violence.
“Ultimately, it was decision-making power and a seat at the table with people who make those decisions. So that’s where Pathways 2 Power comes from,” said Renford.
The students got an audience from City leaders, including from D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham and Council members Trayon White and Kenyan McDuffie who attended the table discussion with students in the back of Ben’s Chili Bowl. The students discussed how they can feel safe with the city leaders and suggested better policing methods on the streets, and some arts and jobs programs that can help young people.
The students also informed the city leaders about a public service announcement they made in collaboration with GroundMedia, a creative studio in Southeast DC. The students also want chapters of Pathways 2 Power to be opened in other D.C. schools.
“For our youth, we want them to be inspired so they know they are not helpless,” said senior student Anthony James.
D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham appreciated the efforts of students against gun violence. “You can see the amount of talent these kids have. They’re incredible,” said Newsham.