Detroiters Honor Newtown Victims With Anti-Violence Rally In Midtown

DETROIT (WWJ) - In Newtown, Connecticut Friday a 26-second moment of silence was held for the 26 victims of a school shooting 6-months ago. The ceremony also included the reading of the names of more than 6,000 people killed by gun violence.

Meantime, back in Detroit in the Midtown area, a rally in memory of the Newtown victims. Rev. William Phillips of Ecorse participated. He says he just lost a best friend to gun violence in Detroit.

"Just coming home, putting his car in the garage, walking back to his house - confronted by two or three thugs - that just wanted to rob somebody to get a fix I guess. And they shot and killed him - left him like a dog in his backyard ... it's painful," said Rev. Phillips.

Twyla Griffin with Organizing For Action says while they support expanded background checks they also want to see a crackdown on gun sales over the internet.

"We want to demand and let Congress know - we are not backing down, we asked for legislation. When the event happened, everyone said this will never happen again - this is horrible," noted Griffin. "This is horrible, the President of the United States at the State of the Union came out and said 'shame on us if we don't do something about it.'"

The Detroit rally was hosted by OFA-Wayne County chapter--a group calling for expanded background checks for gun-buyers and other tighter gun control measures.