Lauderhill’s Walk for Peace brings community together to honor gun violence victims

LAUDERHILL, Fla. — Residents, families and community leaders gathered Saturday for the city of Lauderhill’s Walk for Peace, a community event focused on unity, healing and raising awareness about gun violence.

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Participants walked from the Lauderhill Police Department to City Hall, carrying signs that read “Our Community, Our Peace, Our Responsibility” and “Guns Down, Peace Up.”

The walk was escorted by Lauderhill police officers to ensure participants’ safety along the route.

Many of those taking part have been personally affected by gun violence, including parents who have lost children.

Among them was a mother who shared the story of her daughter, Destiny, who was killed in July 2023 at age 19.

“I lost my daughter Destiny, who was only 19 years of age on July 4th of 2023,” she said. “She was riding with a family member in a slingshot, and they shot at the slingshot, and she was killed instantly on impact.”

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The mother said Destiny had recently graduated from high school and survived lupus.

“She was ready to live her life, wanting to become a black firefighter woman, and her life was taken from her shortly,” she said.

The event honored victims of gun violence while promoting peace and public safety throughout the community.

“It’s important to come out here … guns down, peace up,” the mother said. “We’re here together to celebrate those who’ve lost family members due to gun violence and any type of violence.”

Organizers said the walk and festival were designed to bring the community together, support grieving families and encourage efforts to reduce violence.

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