Tom Barrett Speaks Out Against Gun Violence During ‘Ceasefire Sabbath’

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and other elected officials visited inner-city churches on Sunday for the 10th annual “Ceasefire Sabbath,” an event held to promote a message of nonviolence – particularly, the reduction of gun violence.

At Mt. Zion Baptist church, Barrett laid out the demographics of most local gun victims.

“We need fundamental change in this neighborhood because the victims … of violent crime are disproportionately young African-American men,” Barrett said.

Church member Yvonne Thomas praised the mayor’s message, but said reducing gun violence isn’t easy.

“It’s something you have to work at. It’s an uphill battle. It’s something all of us have to work at – the community, the church, the home, the schools,” Thomas said.

Police say that about an hour after Barrett spoke at Mt. Zion, three men got into a gun battle and two were shot to death just a couple miles from the church.