CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012, 6,600 people in Chicago have been killed by gun violence.
On Sunday night, local gun violence prevention groups hosted the 10th annual National Gun Violence Vigil in Hyde Park. Activist Mary Stonor-Saunders said the Chicago vigil is just one of hundreds happening around the U.S.
"These local vigils happen to acknowledge the humanity and the toll and to recognize the pain of the victims,” Stonor-Saunders said. “And hopefully that pain will spark a flame for change in our country."
She said humanity and empathy are keys to ending gun violence in the country.
"That's what fuels all of the political, or the economic or the structural issues is first to see the humanity in the face of the people who, not only have been lost, but those who have been left behind,” Stonor-Saunders said.
The vigil featured an installation of people who have lost their lives to gun violence, both at Sandy Hook and in Chicago.
"I just asked people to think, what would you do? What would you do? If your child was coming home from school and got shot?” said Stonor-Saunders. “What would you do? If your child was in a classroom, and somebody with a gun entered? What would you do and then to take that, that feeling that you have an understand that's what's happening in this country, every single day."
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