SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) - Mothers Against Gun Violence joined forces with people around Central New York to remember the lives of two men killed last Friday in two unrelated homicides in Syracuse.
The group traveled to different ends of the city to hold prayer vigils for the victims and to take a stand against violence.
Their first was on Catherine Street, where 30-year-old Walter Belle was shot and killed Friday night. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The group then walked to West Kennedy Street where 65-year-old Jerry Mack was brutally attacked and killed in front of his own son.
"I'm still trying to find out how we got to this place that there's no value in a human life and I think we as a community are going to have to continue to stand fast and stand strong," said organizer Helen Hudson, who co-founded Mothers Against Gun Violence.
Hudson has helped organize several prayer vigils over the years to stand up against violence and show support to victims' families.
"It’s an organization of love and we reach out to families when there's a homicide and surround them with love and comfort and just try to hold on to them," said Hudson.
Jocelyn Knight knows all too well just how important that love is.
"I'm a mother. I'm a mother against gun violence. I'm a victim. My daughter passed away three years ago," said Knight.
Even though vigils like this open up old wounds for Knight, it’s also a time of healing as she spreads her message of hope.
"This is very important for us mothers, for us women in this community to stay together to heal to love each other to love our children," said Knight.
