MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis city leaders, community members, state lawmakers and law enforcement showed unity in Orange Mound on Saturday in the ninth annual "Walk Against Gun Violence."
The event was designed to seek solutions to curb crime, following the city setting a new record in 2023 for homicides in Memphis.
On Saturday morning, Adrienne Locklear and others walked with a purpose, hoping to cut down the violence and making Memphis safer.
Locklear told ABC24 she has had to bury two of her own children due to gun violence. She said losing them has been extremely devastating.
"I speak for my children — they can't speak from the grave," Locklear said. "I'm here to speak for them and for all the moms out here who are suffering and dealing with the same tragic [loss] that I'm dealing with on a daily basis."
Locklear said she's fed up with the murders and killings of Black men. She said the community needs to speak up to help save the next generation.
"We need to make the public aware that we're not standing for it anymore, we're here to stop it," she said. "If you see something, say something. Pick up the phone. It's not about being a snitch, you're saving a life. If you see somebody walking around with a gun where they have no business, call the police, tell them to search that car, get them off the streets."
Memphis Police interim chief C.J. Davis is hoping for the message of holding those people who committing crimes accountable. She is urging parents to be more hands-on with knowing the whereabouts of their children.
"If you know it's you and your young one is out and about in the wee hours of the morning, we're asking you to step up, put your hands on them, give them the love that they need at home so they're not trying to get it out in the street," Davis said.
Davis told ABC24 their department is working hard to put criminals of violent crimes behind bars.
"Memphis PD is working overtime," she said. "Our officers are out there — they're getting bad guys off the street. I'm not talking about misdemeanors — I'm talking about people who are committing felonies."
Memphis mayor Paul Young said having this year's walk take place in Orange Mound hits home.
Nearly two months ago a mass shooting in the area killed two people and injured seven people.
Young said the violence in Orange Mound isn't his only concern, it's a problem throughout the city.
"We want to make sure that we're standing in solidarity with this community. It's not an Orange Mound thing, it's not an East Memphis thing, it's a Memphis thing and all of us are coming together to reduce the violence in our city," Young said.
Young told ABC24 everyone is accountable for making Memphis a better city.
"There's accountability for us as a city, for law enforcement, accountability for the criminal justice system, accountability for parents, making sure their young people are doing the right thing, accountability for adults that are making bad choices," he said.
Davis said they have multiple initiatives to stop violence. ABC24 will be working to get more specifics on those plans.