Springfield gun violence march planned for Saturday

Dion Green, the son of Derrick Fudge, the Springfield man killed during the Dayton mass shooting, and two Springfield residents who lost their loved ones to gun violence are planning a march in Springfield on Saturday.

“We need to stop the violence and lock arms with each other - spread love instead of hate,” Green said. “There’s too much pain and grief in this world already that we are facing and gun violence is extra pain a person has to endure during these challenging times.”

Green explained that he decided to organize the “No More Silence End Gun Violence March” to shed light on gun violence and to bring individuals together to share their stories - while being surrounded by others that understand their pain and grief.

“There is no right time,” Green said. “This is what is in my heart. It’s what I have to do.”

Victoria Arnold, who lost her son, Titus Arnold, to gun violence, and Eliza Johnson, who lost her brother, Gary Cameron, and cousin, Cedric Holt, to gun violence are helping organize the event.

The march will be from 1 to 4 p.m. beginning at New North Street AME Church, 901 S. Center Street and ending at Fountain Square.

Green, Arnold and Johnson will share their stories at the church and will ask others to share if they would like.

“It’s a healing process for me because it’s for my father and all the other victims who have loss their families to gun violence,” Green said. “It’s just hard. Some people don’t understand that type of pain and grief unless you’re surrounded by other people.”

He added that the march will be a platform for individuals to discuss what change is needed to stop gun violence.

“People are losing their families at an increasing rate right now without closure,” Green said. “We just want justice for those suffering from those tragedies.”

According to Springfield Police Division Captain Tom Zawada, this year there has been four victims of homicide related to gun violence in Springfield and one of those cases remains unsolved. In 2019, there were three victims of homicide related to gun violence in Springfield and one of those cases remains unsolved.

Zawada explained that physical evidence and community involvement is important when solving gun violence cases.

The Springfield Police Division has other unsolved homicide cases - some referring back to 1966.

Green said he is expecting a couple hundred individuals at the march. They will have water, face masks and sanitizer for participants.

He added that the organizers would like to thank Rev. Jacqueline Randolph at New North Street AME Church for letting them use the church’s parking lot.

The march will be the first event to represent Green’s nonprofit, Flourishing Under Distress Given Encouragement (Fudge), named for his dad. The nonprofit will connect survivors of a variety of trauma to services and offer encouragement.

For more information about the march, search for No More Silence End Gun Violence March on Facebook.

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