Since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, there's been a renewed fight to end gun violence and demand drastic reform of gun laws in the country.
Saturday marked a major moment in that fight, with millions of Americans taking to the streets in protest for March For Our Lives nationwide. Chicago resident Trevon Bosley was one of the many who took the stage in Washington, D.C., Saturday at the March for Our Lives to call for change and to address the violence in his beloved hometown.
“I’m here to speak for those youth who fear they may be shot while going to the gas station, the movies, the bus stop, to church or even to and from school,” the 19-year-old said to the crowd during his speech at the event. “I’m here to speak for those Chicago youth who feel their voices have been silenced for far too long. And I’m here to speak on behalf of everyone who believes a child getting shot and killed in Chicago or any other city is still not an acceptable norm.”
When he was only 8 years old, Trevon lost his brother, Terrell Bosley, in 2006. Terrell was a talented musician that was gunned down in a case of mistaken identity. His talent was known far and wide in the Chicago gospel scene, according to his brother, many called him "Mr. Music."
On the day of the shooting, Terrell arrived at the Lights of Zion church early to rehearse for service. When he took a break in the church parking lot, witnesses claimed to hear gunshots.
His girlfriend was the first person to respond, according to The Daily Beast. She ran up to him and asked if anyone was shot. Then, she saw the blood on Terrell's shoulder. The pastor came to the parking lot and knelt at his side, comforting and kissing him in Terrell's final moments.
Trevon and his family were notified of the shooting, and they went to a local hospital where Terrell was being treated only to learn that he would not survive. Sadness overcame the Bosley family and for a year they could not bring themselves to listen to music.
Now, 12 years later, Trevon does not want anyone to feel what he felt. He led a crowd of thousands in a powerful chant at the March for Our Lives, saying:
“Everyday shootings are everyday problems.”
Watch Trevon deliver his powerful speech below:
"It's time for the nation to realize gun violence is more than just a Chicago problem or a Parkland problem, but it's an America problem," says Trevon Bosley, whose brother was shot and killed leaving church in 2006 #MarchForOurLives
pic.twitter.com/OeUDDcdMRi— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) March 24, 2018