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A Casket and 101 Pairs of Shoes Displayed on Borough Hall Steps For Shooting Victims

The display highlighted how all of the victims shot in New York City last week were Black or Brown
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101 pairs of shoes were laid on the steps of Borough Hall. Photo: Instagram @bkborohall

On Wednesday, 101 pairs of shoes were laid on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall to represent the 101 people shot in New York City over the last week, Patch reports.

The shoes were laid out behind a casket and marked with the race of each victim, highlighting how they were all Black or Brown. The display was set up by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, mothers who had lost children to gun violence and other activists condemning the gun violence sweeping New York City.

"This is one of the most diverse cities in America, yet the [101] victims of shootings were Black and brown," Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams told Patch, pointing at the shoes. "That is unimaginable."

NYPD statistics show shootings have gone up by 46 percent on the same period last year, and on July 4th, police reported 64 people had been shot in 45 incidents. Ten of those shootings were fatal.

The shootings comes amidst Black Lives Matter protests, and activists said the surge underscores a goal of the BLM movement in ensuring Black lives are protected within their own communities.

Natasha Christopher, who's 14-year-old son was killed by gun violence in 2012, said: "We keep saying Black Lives Matter, but Black lives have to start mattering to Black people. I am so sick and tired of our communities bleeding...I have other kids and I'm scared this could happen again."

Adams said his office will meet with gang leaders in a "gang summit" to address the violence, and will release videos for parents on how to step in if they suspect their child might be going down a dangerous path.




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