AUGUSTA, Ga. ()- June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month and it is to raise awareness for gun violence in the United States.

Phyllis Jackson knows first-hand about gun violence. In 2019 Jackson’s 22-year-old son was shot and killed.

“My son, Gerald Waldon, was killed here in Augusta, he befriended an individual at work. And that individual, along with three others, came to came to the house, lured my son out of the home, and literally within the same neighborhood, they had planned to kill him. And they did just that. They killed him and left him in the neighbor’s yard.”

Ever since that tragic event, Jackson has been helping to raise awareness about the danger of guns.

“Kids are supposed to be able to be kids. Teenagers are supposed to be able to be teenagers. We can’t afford to allow our kids to continue to go to the schools, go to malls, go to the grocery stores and have to worry if our child is going to come home. It’s vitally important that we do something about it as a community. And if we’re voting someone in in that position that we hold them accountable to do the same.”

She hopes the community will come to an event Friday night. An ‘Evening of Remembrance and Call to Action’ will be held in downtown Augusta.

“This event will show everyone that the community stands together in hard times and good times. And in this event, we are remembering those that have been lost to gun violence. And we want to show those that are affected indirectly that you have a part to play in the rebuilding and standing together as one.”

If you plan to attend, wear orange as that is the national color for gun violence awareness.

The event will be held at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater beginning at 6pm, click here to register.

Photojournalist: Dania Alawir