Meharry Medical College and Nashville General Hospital hosted Nashville Walks for Peace Saturday, Sept. 12, bringing physicians, medical students, first responders, families and community members together for a 5K race and 2-mile walk focused on preventing gun violence and promoting safer communities.
Nashville was one of 10 cities to participate in the national event led locally by Meharry pediatrician Dontal Johnson, M.D., in partnership with the National Medical Association and Project Outreach and Prevention on Youth Violence.
During the event, Mothers Over Murder Founder & CEO Clemmie Greenlee (aka “Ms. Clemmie”) spoke about the impact of gun violence, leading the crowd in chanting the phrase, “Not One More.”
The event was dedicated to 16-year-old Cameron Frierson, who was recently killed by gun violence after leaving a high school football game in Nashville.
Cameron’s parents, Brittany and Chris Frierson, attended the event and released 25 orange balloons in honor of Cameron and others who have lost their lives due to gun violence.
Brandi Kaye Freeman, M.D., 128th president of the National Medical Association, and Meharry Board of Trustees member Laveil Allen, M.D., also joined the walk and spoke during the event.
“As a pediatrician, I have spent my career thinking about what children need not simply to survive, but to thrive, and one of the most very basic things every child needs is the opportunity to grow up safely. Yet, firearm violence continues to threaten that promise,” Freeman told the crowd of more than 100 participants. “Every step we take will say something. It will say that violence is not inevitable. It will say that our communities deserve to be safe. It will say that black children deserve the opportunity to grow up, grow old and fulfill their promise.”
