Atlanta Christmas Tree Honors Children Killed By Gun Violence
A Christmas tree was raised for the third holiday running in Atlanta to remember children who were killed by gun violence.
According to WAGA, since 2020, community activist Georgetta Morton has been putting up the tree as a vigil for children who were shot and killed. The tree is decorated with ornaments of the faces of kids who have died throughout the year. She told WAGA, "I just want to make sure we haven’t forgotten those families and that they know someone still cares about their babies. We’re gonna be next Sunday enjoying time with our families and children, but we don’t want to forget about the ones that are sitting there without their child."
Chanell Crosby, whose 13-year-old son Jamiren was fatally shot three months ago, visited the Christmas tree on Sunday (Dec. 18). A photo of her son was hung on the tree. "It’s just too much gun violence going on right now in Atlanta, Georgia with kids," Crosby said. "To know that everybody still cares and everyone still love him… sometimes when people pass away the phone calls stop." Police are currently investigating Jamiren’s death.
Fears of gun violence in Atlanta are only worsening after the “Safe Carry Protection Act” passed in August. The law expanded Georgia’s already loose gun statutes to grant residents the right to carry in bars, churches, schools and other private businesses.
