Hundreds of people attended the Anguilla United Against Gun Violence rally this weekend in a powerful show of unity and support for a safer community.
The event on Sunday, 24 August, was held in response to a surge in violent gun crime on the island, which has claimed ten lives and left several others injured this year alone.
Residents of all ages along with church, community and government leaders joined together to walk from St Augustine’s Anglican Church to St Mary’s Anglican Church in The Valley.
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Along the route, participants enjoyed uplifting music, while organisers from local churches offered prayers for a brighter future.
Several officials and community representatives delivered powerful speeches during the event, calling for action against violence.
‘Standing together, unified’
In her address, Governor Julia Crouch reflected that the gathering was taking place during a period of significant concern and loss for the community.
“Families devastated by the loss of loved ones, communities fearful, and our young people drawn down dangerous paths that threaten their futures and the safety of us all,” she said.
“But this evening, here we are, standing together, unified – not in despair, but in determination. By being here we are demonstrating that the stand against gun violence is every person’s business.”
Crouch spoke of the efforts of the Royal Anguilla Police Force but added that it will take the whole community to address the problem and it must begin with peace in the home.
“It is through our collective action that we can and we will dismantle the influence of gangs and protect our most vulnerable – our children, our families, our future,” she said.
Compassion and clarity
The governor said young people must be spoken to with compassion and clarity, and offered alternatives to violence along with support and hope.
Her priorities, she said, include prevention through education and community programmes, swift and fair investigation and prosecution, and sentencing and rehabilitation that promote healing and change.
“I truly believe we are witnessing that change. People are speaking up. They are taking a stand. They are saying enough is enough,” she said.
“Criminals are increasingly realising they can no longer hide behind a wall of silence.”
She thanked everyone who came together in “prayer, reflection and solidarity” for the rally: “Your presence here is a powerful testament to the strength of our community and our shared commitment to peace.”
‘Not who we are’
Another powerful speech came from the community services planner Hyacinth Bradley-Augustine who said it was a calling is beyond her job title, “it is a duty, a conviction and a responsibility”.
She explained that she and her team engage daily with families and young people through various programmes in the areas of crime prevention, intervention, interruption, and rehabilitation
“We work with parents, children and youth who are frightened, wounded and searching for another way. And I tell you this: violence is not who we are as a people,” she said.
“Anguilla was built on strong families, on faith, and on community spirit. We cannot allow gunfire to drown out the laughter of our children, or fear to silence the dreams of our youth.”
She said she came to the rally to echo the voices of those lost to violence, those incarcerated, and those
struggling.
A way of life
Bradley-Augustine urged the crowd to ensure their words translate into action, stressing that ‘No more violence’ must be more than a chant: “It must become a conviction, a way of life.”
She said many young people are sceptical: “I hear in their voices the cry of deep trauma, betrayal, pain, confusion and hopelessness – wounds that too often show themselves through acts of violence.”
The perpetrators must be held accountable, she said, but added that work must take place to reach them and to change the conditions that feed violence.
Her message closed with a challenge: “Are we here simply to chant and walk? Or are we here because we are ready to take responsibility?”
Among others speaking at the event were Premier Cora Richardson Hodge, opposition leader Ellis Webster and Commissioner of Police Robert Clark.
Watch highlights from the event below:
