They are innocent observers from an older generation, bystanders who say they are furiously concerned about living in the midst of gunfire and violence that has gripped not only Albany, but communities across the state during the pandemic.

“No mother, no father should have to bury their child. That’s not fair.”

Those are the words of Albany resident Tina Allen as she walks toward what has become an all too familiar scene in cities across our country: makeshift memorials for those lost to gun violence.

Lester Mosely is a lifelong Albany resident who has witnessed its evolution over her 91 years here.

“The kids are getting more wild. Coming up, they used to fight with fists, then bats, razors, then knives,” he said.

Mosely and Allen have seen the violence escalate.

“I hear gunshots from First, Second, Third, but this man walked right up here and shot this man,” Allen said about a recent fatal shooting on Central Avenue.

What You Need To Know

  • Nine people have died from gun violence in Albany since May

  • A group of Albany senior citizens are making their voices heard, responding to the violence

  • Two war veterans are angered over where they've seen their city go in recent years

Dozens of people have been shot in Albany since May. Nine were killed, and one of them died just feet from a housing complex in Albany that is home to many senior citizens.

Mosley and Allen are two of the building's residents. They want more for their city.

Mosley is a Korean war veteran who has lived in Albany his whole life. Allen, a Gulf War veteran and mother, isn’t moving, either. This is home. She's not going anywhere.

“I survived four tours in Baghdad. I don’t want to die from a stray bullet on the streets of Albany. I felt safer in the Middle East then I do right here, and that’s not fair,” Allen said with a combination of anger and disgust in her voice. "I pay to live here. I volunteered to go there. I pay to live here, but I shouldn’t have to live in a war zone."

She and her friend Patricia call themselves the new seniors here, old enough to have the title, young enough to fight for their city.

Patricia says something has to change.

“I understand people are out of work," Patricia said. "If you can’t find work in your own field, find something else. You don’t have to be robbing people and gunning them down for a few pennies. We in this neighborhood. If we’re here, it means we ain’t got no money, so why you going to rob me?”

Their voices are those from an older generation, not ones we’re used to hearing, but it’s not because they aren’t yelling.

“Half of this building is senior citizens," Patricia said. "They can’t fight for themselves. So if I see someone disrespecting them, I got something to say about it. I got a voice, and we all need to start using our voice."

Allen is urging her neighbors and everyone else in the city to take a stand.

“Speaking up is what causes us to get things done," she said. "We have to work together and do something with these children that’s out here killing each other. Like grandpa says, find something for them to do.”

Patricia agreed, saying it starts with the community, with families and how kids are being raised, but she also places responsibility on law enforcement.

“Police need to be retrained," she said. "I don’t care what you have to do, but police are killing us as bad as we [are] killing each other."

Both women say so much of the violence stems from drugs, but they do say there is still hope for Albany and its future.

“Yes, when people start getting out into their own community, start patrolling their own community and let people know we’re not having this,” Allen said.