ROCHESTER, N.Y. — After a recent quadruple shooting on Lyell Avenue that left a man dead, local community groups got together Saturday to stand against violence in the area.
Leaders from Save Rochester Black Lives Matter, the Little Italy Historic District, and the Hispanic Community on North Clinton Avenue are working together to protest what they say is a lack of humanity that is being shown for the area by government officials.
The groups will be holding another protest in March from Lyell to Clinton Avenues to stand against what they say is a low quality of living for the area.
“But I stand here today saying it's still possible for poverty to go from 54% of our children to zero. That I say it's still possible for crime rates to go from the all-time high to rock-bottom. That it's still possible for us to stand in unity. That the only way to make these possibilities a reality is if we all stand together saying that we're gonna make the difference," Isaiah Santiago, from Save Rochester BLM, said.
These community group leaders say they want to see the mayor and state Attorney General have a presence in the area.
They’ll hold a protest on March 13, which will be followed by a prayer service outside Saint Michael’s Church after the protest.