By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer
Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and friends – 16 in all – sat in a circle to remember the impact and lives of their loved ones who have been taken.
The Feb. 24 event was hosted by Stevante Clark to honor the families of Black men and women who have lost their lives tragically, from police brutality to gun violence. “Life and Legacy Survivor’s Discussion” was held during the 36th annual Black History Month Expo at the SAFE Convention Center.
Many on hand were active members of Moms Demand Action, a nonprofit fighting for public safety measures and laws that better protect people from gun violence.
“There are a lot of neighborhoods but not enough neighbors,” Clark said as he spoke about the importance of coming together, looking out for each other, and holding spaces to grieve in a way that’s needed.
Clark is the younger brother of Stephon Clark, whose death in his grandmother’s backyard by Sacramento police gained national attention in 2018. Stevante Clark has since become an activist in his brother’s memory.
Anita Razo is the mother of Giovani Isidro Razo Pizano, commonly known as the prolific “DJ Gio,” who was shot near his home in 2022. “It’s so devastating to my family, his friends, and the entire community because he was not only a DJ, but he was also a motivator,” Razo said. “The level of devastation when someone was tragically killed like my son was is indescribable.”
Deborah Grimes’ son, Greg “Najee” Grimes, was killed at a nightclub just a few weeks after DJ Gio’s slaying. “We want people to understand the impact,” Grimes said. “Things we used to do together as a family we don’t do anymore. It’s too painful.”
Angelina Paxton, a close friend of Tyre Nichols, who was beaten to death by Memphis police officers in January 2023, attended on behalf of Nichols’ family and spoke on his life and legacy.
“Tyre was passionate about bringing change into this world. And so that’s now what me and his sisters and his brothers are going to do,” Paxton said. “We write letters to Congress every day, but we don’t think just of Tyre in those letters; we think of the hundreds of mothers that have gone through this.”
The event honored the families of the following people: Stephon Clark, Sherrono Stingley, Tyre Nichols, Antonio Thomas, Lamont Meyers, Azalya Anderson, Izaya Boatright, Marshall Miles, Saraya Jade Redmond, Greg Najee Grimes, Dj Gio, Jacob Lopez, Lorna Duplat Clark, Ire & Israel Johnson, Marek Aaron Cole, Timothy Jeter, and Gabby Nevarez.
To get involved with Moms Demand Action text the word “connect” to 64433 to receive further information on ways to get involved. Impacted mothers in Sacramento, will be connected to Mary Duplat who volunteers with the Sacramento chapter.