‘I really miss you': Hartford's anti-violence group holds 21st Remembrance Day
A Hartford-based anti-violence organization held its 21st annual Remembrance Day at Sigourney Park Sunday evening.
Mothers United Against Violence (MUAV), a group that aims to help families who have been impacted by gun violence, hosted families to remember and honor loved ones.
“We want people to know that, yes, you loved your loved one, but they’re never going to be forgotten,” Rev. Henry Brown with MUAV said.
5-year-old Eddy Garcia’s father was shot and killed five years ago. Eddy never got to meet his dad.
“I wish my father was alive,” he said. “I really miss you.”
Even though Eddy spends birthdays without his father, he celebrates with his with the women and men behind MUAV, who have become like family.
“It’s a great group, they show so much love to one another,” Beverly Garcia, Eddy’s aunt, said.
Holli Holloway said MUAV offered a lot of support when her teenager was killed in a hit and run in December.
“They’ve been here since the second day of the accident,” she said. “They’ve never left my life.”
Deborah Davis with MUAV said the next step for families is to be anti-violence advocates.
“They get a chance to really put forth their hat and say, ‘Hey, I want to take my stand in this community,’” she said. “No more violence and stop the violence.”
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