SCLC leads rally against gun violence on Marietta Square 

As similar protests were being held across the country, the Cobb County Southern Leadership Conference (SCLC), under the direction of Dr. Ben Williams, led protestors in rallying against gun violence on the Marietta Square on Saturday.

Along with March for Our Lives, Cobb Democracy Center, and other community organizations, the SCLC led rally was joined by citizens fed up with the unyielding gun violence in the country. These nationwide rallys come on the heals of the mass murdering of school age children in Uvalde, Texas. 

Several hundred people participated in the rally, carrying homemade signs, wearing March for Our Lives t-shirts, as they demanded action from lawmakers. . 

In addition to a march around the square, the rally included speakers who shared their stories and thoughts on gun control as well as the lack of action to address the mass killings by those in charge.

One speaker, Zion Baptist Church Pastor Eric Beckham said, “We believe that gun violence has gotten out of control in this country and we need to advocate to our policymakers things that can be done.”

Many parents who spoke shared similar messages that kids deserve to be safe in school.

When Williams took the stage he shared a strong message with the crowd saying, “Our presence is a part of our message. They will listen if we persist and insist that they listen. And we encourage other people to join us in insisting that they listen.”

Terry Cummings, a Democratic Candidate for Georgia House of Representatives – District 39, spoke during the rally saying, “We don’t have to agree on everything. But as Americans we should be able to agree that keeping our kids safe from guns in schools is a top priority. How many more have to die?” 

Makia Metzger, Democratic candidate for Cobb Solicitor General, said she is tired of having the same conversation without seeing results. “We don’t have everyone in the room,” Metzger said. “We don’t have the people who have the power to legislate, or the majority. We can sit here all day and have this conversation, but we all agree. What happens after this?”

Survivors of mass shootings and other incidents of gun violence have lobbied legislators and testified on Capitol Hill last week. Among them was Miah Cerrillo, an 11-year-old girl who survived the shooting at Robb Elementary. She described for lawmakers how she covered herself with a dead classmate’s blood to avoid being shot.