Toronto Communities Stand Against Gun Violence, Seeking Healing Amid Loss

Community members gathered at Queen’s Park on Saturday, September 14, for a rally against gunviolence, honoring victims and their families while continuing the legacy of Louis March, founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement, who passed away in July 2024.

Fred Alvarado — Local Journalism Initiative

The event marked the conclusion of the Peace March 2025, uniting mothers, survivors, advocates, and community groups in a call for healing and systemic change.

The rally served not only as a response to recent tragedies but also as a collective remembrance of all lives lost, including 8-year-old JahVai Roy, killed last month by a stray bullet in North York. His mother, Holly Roy, spoke with powerful honesty about her grief and the urgent need for stronger community support.

Speakers emphasized that gun violence continues to disproportionately affect Black and Indigenous communities, leaving lasting social and emotional scars. Youth face particular risks as poverty, systemic inequities, and lack of opportunities fuel the cycle of violence. While Toronto police report a decline in shootings compared to 2024, families reminded the crowd that statistics cannot capture the human cost.

Among participants were Regent Park-based Mothers of Peace, Mending the Crack in the Sky, the Black Action Defense Committee, and members of the Zero Gun Violence Movement. Their message was clear: behind every bullet is a story, and communities must act together to prevent further loss.

For Regent Park residents, long impacted by gun violence, the rally underscored the urgent need for investments in youth programs, trauma supports, and community-led solutions.