Crowd demands gun reform, prays for victims in vigil at Miller Park
Dan Diener stood alone at the back of Miller Park Sunday evening in a University of Dayton Flyers visor covering his long, gray hair.
The ex-Marine hadn’t been to a protest or demonstration demanding action since Richard Nixon held his presidential inauguration in January of 1973, but he figured this was the right time.
A week ago, a gunman killed nine people and injured 27 others in a historic entertainment district Diener used to frequent before moving from the Birthplace of Aviation to the Volunteer State in 1986. It was the second mass shooting in less than 24 hours. That Saturday, a gunman targeted shoppers at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart. The shooter targeted Mexicans during the violent antiimmigrant demonstration that
left 22 people dead and 24 others injured.
“I just wanted to see how people were reacting,” Diener said. “It’s good to see some people out here, such a big group showing their support.”
The usually clean-cut Diener has been outspoken of late, even if he does so quietly. His hair grows long, and he has vowed not to cut it while President Donald Trump remains in office. On this hot Sunday evening, he stood quietly in the back, off by himself, where he soaked in the setting. He told the Times Free Press he would like to see more stringent gun laws.
In the foreground, concerned citizens, clergy members, activist groups and a politician held a prayer vigil to remember the victims of mass shootings and call for stricter gun laws. The focus was on recent mass shootings, but also the gun violence that takes place in many minority communities in the U.S.
The gathering was led by a range of activist groups:
the local chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense; Students Demand Action; La Paz Chattanooga, an Hispanic organization; Tennessee United, a similar organization focused on Hispanic rights; and others.
Attendees brought signs, listened to speeches in both English and Spanish, said prayers and held a moment of silence.
“We wanted to provide a space and opportunity for the community to come together … for their grief and their anger and for their desire to make some real positive change when it comes to this issue of gun violence,” local Moms Demand Action leader Erin Goddard said.
Goddard joined a host of attendees that requested local representatives put in place “common-sense gun laws.” Those include background checks for all gun sales and “red flag” laws to remove weapons from people who are deemed dangerous, they said.
State House representative Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga,
attended and mingled with local residents to catch up on life and hear their concerns. He joined the group in wanting to see change at a national level. Hakeem supports stricter gun laws, but said he does not want to confiscate firearms from law-abiding citizens.
“Well, of course, I think the common thread here is background checks,” he said. “But yes, I think banning assault weapons [is a good idea]. Those weapons that are already out there, we’re not going to even attempt to take guns away from people, but going forward, I don’t know of any legitimate use for assault weapons other than war.”
A group of clergy members gathered near the recently renovated Miller Park stage before the event.
They came to show love, support and also wanted “common-sense” gun reform.
“I felt it was important to be here because I think this is a moral issue and a justice issue,” the Rev. Allen Humbrecht of Holy Spirit Catholic Church said. “People need to be mindful of that and to know the clergy are concerned about these issues.”
Some at the demonstration, including members of the clergy, also came to decry the U.S.’s recent treatment of immigrants.
“I just think about the hate,” Tennessee United member Clara Cruz said. “It’s all we can see around our communities and in the country. Hate is not good, whatever reason you may have.”
In Ohio, a moment of silence in tribute to the victims was observed at Ned Peppers Bar, where the shooting took place, early Sunday morning, according to the Associated Press. In Texas, more than 100 people marched through the border city of El Paso on Saturday, denouncing racism and calling for stronger gun laws.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Contact Mark Pace with questions, comments, concerns or story tips at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook at ChattanoogaOut doorsTFP.