Hundreds walk to end gun violence
EAST GOSHEN » About 250 walkers laced up their running shoes on Sunday while remembering Bianca Nikol Roberson who was killed during a June 2017 road rage shooting.
The inaugural rally and 2.5 kilometer walk, “Walk for Me,” was held in East Goshen Park. Participants in the fundraiser walked to end gun violence.
Roberson, 18, had just graduated Rustin High School and was headed for Jacksonville University when a 10-second argument during a highway merge on the Route 100 Bypass turned deadly.
Delaware County resident David Desper sits behind bars while awaiting a September murder trial.
Bianca’s mother, Michelle Roberson, lost her other child, a son, 22-year old Mykel, in 2013.
Through tears, on a bright sunny morning, Roberson told the walkers that they had made a difference in her heart.
“Each and every one of you helps me,” she said. “Each of you has let me stand on your shoulders.”
In memory of Bianca and Mykel, Michelle Roberson created the Merge with Mercy Foundation.
“Everywhere we go we make contact,” Roberson said. “We should be able to come out of a merge with flying colors — not when someone kills.”
Family cousin Betty Walls of Coatesville rallied against gun violence.
“People don’t use their fists anymore,” Walls said. “They use weapons unnecessarily. “We need to talk it out.”
Bianca’s father, Rodney Roberson Sr., said that more and more people are starting to rally against guns.
“This rally will drive awareness to West Chester, Philadelphia and the world to show that gun violence is what we are against.”
Kelly Patterson, of West Chester, worked at Rustin High School and misses Bianca.
“It has to be stopped before another mother loses a child,” she said.
Rosalind Phillips of Coatesville is also a cousin in the Roberson family.
“We need to make people aware of gun violence,” she said. “This was an unnecessary act of discrimination and we are here to support our family.”