Darrell Lee Jenkins Jr., Resource Center (DLJ) Leads Memorial Demonstration
Springfield, MA – December 12, 2023
In response to the alarming surge in gun violence, the Darrell Lee Jenkins Jr., Resource Center (DLJ) is spearheading a poignant memorial event to honor the lives lost due to gun violence in the city of Springfield. The demonstration, set to take place on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 11 am in front of Springfield City Hall, is aimed at shedding light on the growing number of “unsolved homicides” plaguing the community.
The demonstration, is set to take place on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 11 am in front of Springfield City Hall
With 31 homicides recorded in the city as of the first week of December 2023, marking it as a record year for such incidents, the DLJ community is rallying together to address the ongoing pain experienced by families and community members. The event seeks to unite those affected by loss and draw attention to the pressing need for solutions to both solve these crimes and transform the justice system.
The memorial, organized by DLJ, will not only pay homage to the lives lost but also serve as a platform for families impacted by gun violence to voice their concerns and propose solutions. Attendees will convene at Springfield City Hall, located at 36 Court St, Springfield, MA 01103, where they will share demands and ideas generated by those directly affected by these tragedies.
Juanita Batchelor, the Executive Director of DLJ, who lost her son to gun violence nine years ago, expressed frustration over the lack of progress in solving these cases. “My son’s murder is still unsolved after all these years,” Batchelor lamented. “We are coming together on Monday, December 11th, to honor and remember all those lives lost to gun violence. We also want to be seen and heard as we have many ideas on how to work toward building healthy communities.”
Batchelor emphasized the importance of community involvement in solving these crimes, challenging what she perceives as a weak response from law enforcement. “Police generally say that the community needs to talk about what happened, and without that, they don’t have information. This seems to me to be a weak response,” Batchelor stated.
The memorial demonstration serves as a call to action for the Springfield community to come together, remember the lives lost to gun violence, and collectively advocate for justice and positive change.
