Yesterday, in collaboration with CeaseFirePA and Bend the Arc Pittsburgh and with the partnership of dozens of faith and community groups, Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence hosted In Memoriam. Through the symbolism of 11 empty chairs we remembered the victims of the October 27, 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue. We recognized the toll that mass shootings have taken in the year since Tree of Life as volunteers stepped forward to represent each life lost in a public mass shooting as a reader read the list of shootings, their dates and the number of victims. We remembered the victims of gun violence in the Pittsburgh community as we lit a candle and people stepped forward to place a flower or a stone. The placing of a stone on the grave is a Jewish tradition. Finally we had a moment of silence for the victims of gun suicide and finished with an English rendition of Olam Chesed Yibaneh (We will build this world from love).
See photos from the event here.
See news coverage here.
See video of the press conference preceding the event.
See our event partners here.