Community members gather to loosen violence's grip on Milwaukee: "Mothers are tired of burying their children"

Community members gather to loosen violences grip on Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Dozens gather in Milwaukee to share their ideas with others -- it's an effort to try to stop the violence, and FOX6 explains what many believe is at the heart of the issue.

Inside the Parklawn YMCA, there are stories of families impacted by violence.

"My oldest grandson - his cousin was killed at 76th and Congress," says one attendee.

But the goal of the meeting is to brainstorm ideas of eliminating violence's tight grip on Milwaukee.

"It`s hurting everybody. It`s hurting everybody across the board," says State Senator Nikiya Harris Dodd.

The gathering is taking place in the heart of Harris Dodd's district. The Democrat planned the forum to allow for small-group discussion. Her goal is to take ideas generated today back to Madison.

"We gotta do something about gun violence in state legislature when we come back to Madison in January," says Harris Dodd.

For Pastor Micaiah Young, the heart of the issue is deeply complex.

"If you don`t value yourself, you don`t value life," says Young.

He says many young people in the inner city have no self-worth -- something his congregation is taking aim at, by starting youth mentoring programs among African-American men.

"Our young people don`t know who they are," says Young. "As long as we live in a culture that teaches people in the inner city that you`re nothing, that you don`t deserve anything - we`re going to keep seeing violence."

Harris Dodd says the turning point in Milwaukee came when 11-year-old Sierra Guyton became an innocent victim of gun violence on a playground near her home. As the child clings to life, many here hope similar stories never have to be shared.

"Mothers are tired of burying their children. Community members are tired of the make-shift memorials in neighborhoods where a crime has happened," says Harris Dodd.

Harris Dodd says she invited local, state, and federal officials to join the session. A representative from the mayor's office, and Congresswoman Gwen Moore's office were in attendance.