Donate

Gun Violence Prevention

Photo essay: Philly anti-violence activist leads march to Washington, D.C.

Jamal Johnson addresses the crowd. (Sam Searles/WHYY)

Working on a solution to gun violence and want to share it? Get in touch with gun violence prevention reporters Sammy Caiola and Sam Searles.

Jamal Johnson left Philadelphia on Friday afternoon for his seventh walk to Wasington, D.C., hoping for change. The anti-violence activist has made headlines before, with a hunger strike in front of City Hall and six separate trips to Washington, D.C. on foot to raise awareness of both community and police violence.

“We keep hitting the same thing because we’re not seeing any change in what we want,” he said. “The George Floyd Bill still hasn’t been passed and still hasn’t been the strategy delivered from the Black Caucus about the gun violence issue going on in the nation and our community. So it’s the same persistent demands… I’m hoping this will be our lucky seven.”

Johnson will be walking every day for the next 21 days.

When he arrives in the nation’s capital, he’ll be meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss gun violence in Philly and beyond.


Jamal Johnson discusses his plans for his seventh march. (Sam Searles/WHYY)
Family and friends of Kyle Singleton carry signs to City Hall. (Sam Searles/WHYY)
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier speaks at the send-off for Jamal Johnson. (Sam Searles/WHYY)
Supporters and marchers pray before starting to walk down Broad Street towards City Hall. (Sam Searles/WHYY)
Supporters and marchers pray before starting to walk down Broad Street towards City Hall. (Sam Searles/WHYY)
Longtime anti-violence activist Bilal Qayyum speaks at the send-off. (Sam Searles/WHYY)
amal Johnson talks with supporters on Broad street ahead of his seventh march to Washington, D.C. (Sam Searles/WHYY)

Get daily updates from WHYY News!

Sign up
Share

Recent Posts