As Detroit experiences a rise in gun violence affecting its youngest residents, community and faith leaders held a rally on Friday in downtown Detroit to address the issue. CBS News reported that the event, called the Hour of Power, aimed to encourage reflection and mobilization across the city. Community activist Teferi Brent addressed the crowd, stating, “If you’re ready to get into a fight, raise your hands!”
The demonstrations came shortly after a series of shooting incidents, including the death of 6-year-old Rylee Love, who was killed by a stray bullet, according to ClickOnDetroit. In response, the community is calling for change alongside remembrance. Against this backdrop, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison is seeking to significantly expand the city’s “Shot Stoppers” CVI groups through additional state funding.
Meanwhile, the impact of the violence was emphasized by survivors who shared their experiences. Kurteiz Thompson, a survivor of gun violence, expressed concern about the ongoing sense of danger in the city despite reports of decreasing crime rates. “They say the numbers are down, violence-wise, but it doesn’t feel like it, and when it’s a child being killed, it seems like it’s three adults,” Thompson told CBS News…