Victims of gun violence remembered during candlelight vigil in Scarsdale
A small gathering of neighbors and friends arrived at Scarsdale Congregational Church on for an evening of music, memories and prayers.
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A candlelight vigil was held Sunday night in Scarsdale in memory of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have died from gun violence.
A small gathering of neighbors and friends arrived at Scarsdale Congregational Church on for an evening of music, memories and prayers.
Forty-five candles were lit to signify the 45,000 people who are killed in the United States by gun violence.
Survivor Lawrence Lambert was a 22-year-old college student when he was beaten with a lead pipe and robbed at gunpoint.
The thieves got away with $1. He says those painful memories remain.
"I don't think you do move past it. I remember every second of what happened. For a long time I didn't talk about it, I didn't know [how] to frame it," Lambert said.
Rev. Dr. Kelly Rogers, of the Interfaith Coalition Against Gun Violence, says it's important to raise awareness to the fact that every community is at risk to the dangers.
She was a first responder on the scene after a 21-year-old gunman opened fire 12 years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 children and six adult staff members.
Two others were wounded.
"One of the things that we try to do is to raise awareness that gun violence hits home here in Westchester County. We've had three domestic violence-related deaths just this fall that included gun violence. I think it's incredibly important for people to be aware that that is an issue here in our own backyard," Rogers said.
While there are calls for tougher gun laws and stiffer penalties, those who've lived through the pain of gun violence say they know that change will take time and faith.
