Cities across the U.S. have been seeing an uptick in gun violence – the problem is being addressed by community activists in Utica.
"It is becoming an all-too familiar occurrence in black and brown communities." That' s Patrick Johnson, Founder of the Hoops & Dreams Project. He's partnering with 5th District Councilman Jerome McKinsey. They're taking action following a series of shootings in Utica: hosting a 'Shots Fired' forum to explore to ways to put a stop to gun violence.
"Within the past month we've had a homicide, and just within the past week we've had two shootings occur."
This is the second 'Shots Fired' forum - the first, in December, yielded what officials described as "a disappointingly small turnout."
The public is invited to listen and speak out tonight
6 p.m. at the Thea Bowman House Auditorium in Utica.