Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Music unites gun violence opponents
WEST CHESTER » Community members met Saturday at the Unitarian Congregation to enjoy seven music acts and hear a dozen speakers during the annual Concert Across America.
One hundred twenty-five music lovers attended the fundraiser which combined music with a powerful message for gun violence prevention. The event was one of 50 similar fundraisers in 26 states.
Speaker Michelle Roberson lost her daughter Bianca to road rage in June of 2017. The recent Rustin High School graduate was driving home from a shopping trip when she was shot at a merge.
“The devil thought he was going to beat me but I’m going to stamp him out,” Roberson said. “Now, I’m just trying to figure out where to go from here.”
Roberson and several speakers encouraged the toe-tapping audience to get out and vote.
“Let’s make a difference,” she said.
Ann Colby-Cummings is chairperson with grassroots organization Gun Sense Chester County and shared the message to vote.
“Voting is key,” ColbyCummings said. “It is time that we elect candidates that listen to us.
“It is possible to have thoughtful dialogue.”
State Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156, agreed.
“Elections have consequences,” Comitta said. “Your vote is your voice.”
Comitta then mouthed what students have recently voiced in the wake of school shootings.
“You are either with us or against us and if you’re not with us we’re going to vote you out,” Comitta quoted students as saying.
Tom Buglio plays keyboards with the band, Who Needs Nigel? He talked about recent local shootings.
“The list goes on and on in our own neighborhoods,” Buglio said. “Gun violence can happen anywhere and at any time.
“Do we have to live like this? Are we sick and tired of the heartache of random violence?”
A singer from Who Needs Nigel? changed the words
to “Imagine,” by John Lennon, a gun violence victim.
“Imagine no more gun deaths, it isn’t hard to do … no mass shootings too,” went the altered lyrics.
Students Taylor Turner and Andrew Pruden spoke up.
“Gun violence does not discriminate,” Taylor said. “This isn’t how anyone should have to live.”
Pruden talked about the need for active shooter drills in schools.
“Why do I not deserve the right to feel safe in my own school?” he said.
John McNichol is an aide for state Sen. Tom Killion, R-9.
He told the audience that 96 Americans die every day from guns, or 35,000 deaths per year. More than half are due to suicide.
“The senator asked that you be hopeful and pass bipartisan language,” McNichol said.
March for Our Lives organizer Shriya Roberson (no relationship to Michelle) spoke up about the fight.
“We must keep this momentum going, it isn’t just a trend,” Roberson said.
Jeff Dempsey discussed legislation.
“These bills save lives,” Dempsey said. “We are losing lives every day and every day we’re going to lose more.
“We have to act. These things matter.”
Singer Songwriter Michael London said, “We are going to have to talk to each other.”
Musicians included: Rev. Dan Schatz, of the Unitarian Congregation of West Chester, Peggy Bicknese, Wellsprings House Band, of the co-sponsoring congregation, Harmonium, Paula & Moon Cats and Rodney Whittenberg.