Women in the Capital Region braved the rain Saturday to make a joyful noise, even in the saddest of circumstances.

“Couldn’t let the rain stop us because when you don’t know what to do you pray,” said 3rd District Albany County legislator Carolyn McLaughlin.

What You Need To Know

  • Women came together at Lincoln Park on Saturday in an act of prayer

  • They prayed and marched for an end to gun violence in the area

  • Shootings and homicides across Upstate New York’s inner cities have dramatically increased this summer

  • Legislators Carolyn McLaughlin and Wanda Willingham were among those in attendance 

They came together in faith; Praying and marching for an end to gun violence throughout the Capital Region.

Albany County legislator Wanda Willingham joined the circle of prayer as someone who was personally affected by past gun violence.

“I lost my son Elijah and I just can’t stand to see a mother lose another child,” said Willingham.

Marching right by her side was friend Joyce Williams, who lost her nephew to gun violence in Lincoln Park back in 1997.

“To look back at that and to look now, it’s really gotten worse,” said Williams.

Shootings and homicides across Upstate New York’s inner cities have dramatically increased this summer. Overnight in Troy, gunfire left two young men dead and one person wounded.

This is not just about Albany, this is about the Capital Region,” said McLaughlin.

The women here said that while they believe in the power of prayer, faith without works is dead. So in addition to calling on God they’re calling on individuals to put the guns down.

“We need action. God will help us but we need to find some way to help ourselves,” said Williams.