“It will help your loved ones live forever, in a way.”
LaChia Bradshaw addressing the attendees.
“It will help your loved ones live forever, in a way.” was a comment from one of the speakers, Burlington County Prosecutor, LaChia Bradshaw”, who experiences the gun violence epidemic first hand. This was her comment after seeing the exhibition at the reception and program at Warden’s House Gallery in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. She discarded her prepared remarks and spoke from the heart about how the portraits affected her. The power of our artwork is evident. It forms bonds with viewers, it gives voice to those who can no longer speak.
Commissioner Allison Eckel also spoke about the challenges we all face in the face of this unprecedented, escalating violence.
We also heard from Charlene Mokos Hoverter who has been a powerful and effective speaker on behalf of survivors of gun violence. She lost her sister over 30 years ago and she is a testament to how a violent, senseless act ripples through families and through time.
Susan Anolik of Moms Demand Action for Gun Safety also offered some guidelines for taking action such as the Be Smart program to encourage safely storing firearms.
Another program mentioned by Ms. Bradshaw is an intervention program that reacts to “no hit” shootings. Those are incidents where a gun is fired and no one is hit or hurt. This is occurring more and more with younger and younger children, which is distressing, to say the least. But, intervening with these children before the worst can happen, and availing them of counseling is indeed a hopeful policy.
We are so grateful to Anthony Jacobsen for his support of the exhibition and for the program on Friday night, 9/9. His expert and excellent installation of the exhibition is beautiful. It is a gift to have been in such a historic space.
Arts Coordinator/Gallery Curator Anthony Jacobsen, Charlene Mokos Kris, Peggi Breuninger of Crisis Response Canines, Laura Madeleine, and Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel.
Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw talking with Judy MacKenzie, professor at Rowan College of South Jersey, active member of Moms Demand Action for Gun Safety, and coordinator of Souls Shot Portrait Project in New Jersey.