“In the stillness of quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair.” ― Howard Thurman
Cranaleith joined over 50 Philadelphia organizations as part of Penn Live Arts’s city-wide “Toll the Bell,” marking National Gun Violence Awareness Day. At one o’clock, Cranaleith’s historic bell rang in solidarity with those across the city—a call for peace, justice, and reflection on the impacts of gun violence in our city.
Crystal Arthur and Christal Williamson, members of Mothers in Charge, a community organization dedicated to advocacy and support for those affected by violence, shared their stories of losing their sons, Kristian Hamilton-Arthur and Christian Michael Williamson, to gun violence and their journeys to resilience and hope. Chrystal, a peer advocate for Mothers in Charge, uses her experience as a calling to accompany others who have lost family members to violence. Christal spoke of the power of partnership and community in her healing and moving forward in her life. Her connection to Mothers in Charge came at a time that she felt lost and alone and, in this organization, she could be herself and share her grief with others who understood her pain. She also has found Cranaleith to be a place of nourishment, support, and community. For Crystal and Christal, their common call is to end the nightmare of violence in the city.
Sr. Maria closed the program with a blessing and song of peace for the city. We join these women in calling for an end to gun violence in our city and nation.
