MPs Urge Unified Stand Against Gun Violence
[Written by Patrick Bean]
“We become responsible for the actions of others the instant we become conscious of what they are doing wrong and fail to remind them of what is right.” – Suzy Kassem.
Gun violence, among the more deadly aspects of antisocial behaviour, is the responsibility of all Bermudians, one which only a courageous, unflinching, collective effort can resolve.
So inferred Deputy Premier Zane DeSilva, Minister of National Security Michael Weeks and Opposition counterpart Robert King during speeches at last night’s ‘End the Cycle Stop Gun Violence’ rally in Somerset.
The Deputy Premier, Minister and his Shadow offered remarks detailing how the community has to stand together and be uncompromising in its rejection of gun violence and demand for higher standards of conduct.
Minister Weeks pointed out that while those committing atrocities, such as the murderous rampage that took place at Legends Bar last week, represent a minority, it is the majority’s task to address and effect the eradication of root causes.
“These gatherings are good, but if we are going to make a real change, the change that is necessary, we have to stand up, we have to speak up,” began the Minister. “Because for us to make the necessary change, we have to call a spade a spade, so to speak.
“We know what is happening in our community. Somerset is not the only community that is crying out.
“In the couple of years that I have been Minister, I have been to more than my share of these gatherings.
“We come together. We burn candles. We say things that are nice. But if we’re going to make a change, brothers and sisters, we have to stand up, we have to speak up, we have to call it out as it is. That’s the only way we are going to save lives.
“Because these young guys that are doing what they are doing are not somebody else’s children, they are our children. So we have to get up, we have to stand up and call it as it is.
“Like most of you, I am a parent. If I see one of my children doing something untoward, I call him on it, and they know that if something they do is against the law, and they come into my house, they cannot find shelter with me.
“These young guys are finding shelter somewhere. So now as a community, not just the Somerset community but a Bermuda community, we have to stand up wherever we are.
“We have to speak up wherever we are and those two together will equate to our saving some lives.”
Similarly, forceful in his appeal to local residents was King, who noted relevant education as a critical component within the fight against gun violence.
“These are weary, difficult times in this community and it requires us to make some tough decisions about how we are going to respond to this,” said King. “Are we going to respond with passion, love and understanding to preserve life, or are we going to use violence to seek revenge and then have another funeral.
“These are difficult choices that this community is being asked to make, and at this time we must support our brothers and sisters as we go through this process.
“As speakers before me have said and as you have felt yourself in the homes and on the streets with your friends and family in conversations that you’ve had … enough is enough.
“How many young people have to die by the gun in this country before we say, ‘Enough is enough’?
“How many funerals do we have to go to for young people instead of the old?
“This needs to stop. But the only way it will stop is if we do things differently. It means that we will tell the truth. It means that when certain decisions are being made about certain behaviours, we are not going to turn a blind eye to it.
“And it will be difficult. And it is necessary if we want to change the mindset and preserve life, instead of going to another funeral.
“All I am asking is that we be guided by the seeking of peace, justice for the lives by promoting peace.
“Imagine what this community would look like if we chose peace and instead of having that derelict building across the street instead we have a community centre, where people can get homework support, put on a dawn, do something that nourishes and nurtures this community instead of destroying it.
“This is a time when the community needs to come together and tangibly honour the lives that were lost by the gun.
“I ask you for compassion and understanding in choosing the difficult for a right way forward.”
