Community members gather for anti-gun violence rally in Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – It was showcase of unity on the steps of Academic Hall Friday afternoon, as community members gathered to rally against gun violence. 

Activist Leslie Anne Washington said communication is the first step in moving toward curbing gun violence. 

“We just have to do better to be better. We can’t do it alone. We have to work together. We have to have the conversations. We have to work as a community,” she said. “It’s not just a me thing, it’s not just a mom thing, it’s a community thing.” 

Among the dozens of people in attendance was Cape Girardeau mayor Stacy Kinder. She said while opinions on gun ownership vary, gun violence is a non-partisan issue. 

“Regardless of how you feel about gun ownership, whether you’re far left or far right on that issue or somewhere in the middle, gun violence is non-partisan,” she said. “No one advocates or thinks that gun violence is okay.” 

Both Washington and Kinder said this rally taking place on a college campus is representative of the messages the event conveys. 

“Universities and colleges have always been a place where free speech and a wide variety of opinion can be expressed freely. That alone makes it appropriate,” Kinder said.

“Kids here need to see that we can work together, that we can come together in this time and get out the information, get out the news, come together,” Washington said.