June 2 more than a dozen Cure Violence grassroots organizations held a news conference at One Center Street, to announce June as Gun Violence Awareness Month. One of the attendees was Trenelle Gabay, widow of Carey Gabay, slain former aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Mrs. Gabay sent the Amsterdam News her words from that day:
Good day everyone, my name is Trenelle Gabay, the wife of Carey Gabay whom I lost to gun violence in 2015. Losing my husband has been one of the most traumatic experiences I have ever faced and that I continually face on a daily basis. I am not alone on this journey, and that in itself is what is so alarming and disturbing.
Despite everyone’s earnest efforts, the problem seems to persist and the frequency of gun violence perpetually increases. If you have loved ones this is your issue. There is no discrimination when it comes to the lives taken by guns, it can be anyone at any time, and once it reaches your doorstep, it’s too far gone, and it’s too late.
When you turn on the news there is a mention of lives lost to a gun almost every day. Guns find their way into the schools where we send our children to learn and study. It finds its way into movie theaters where we go for entertainment. It finds its way into our churches where we go to praise and worship. It finds its way to outdoor events where people celebrate their culture and heritage and never make it back home, as that was the case with my husband and I. And the list can go on and on.
Gun violence is the leading contributor of premature deaths in this country, we must make sure that people are protected, and safe. We reside in one of the greatest nations in the world, yet we are unfortunately many times more likely than any other person, living in any other place, to be affected by gun violence. Something so appalling and horrid has become so common, that some begin to grow numb to the sheer number of instances of gun violence we hear of and somehow find complacency within the chaos. We all play an invaluable role in this long battle, and we must continue to commit to helping create and become part of the solution, which can take many forms.
An institution of some sort to develop an infrastructure could be useful. It would further provide discernment, and assist in assessing and developing strategies to prevent gun violence. As well as gain an invaluable insight into how and why these incidents occur, alongside equipping us to prevent and deter potential future incidents.
It takes courage for all of us to come here today to recognize and have a conversation about creating awareness to end gun violence in its many different forms.
Never forget, the power is in You, the people. Continue to keep using your voice, sharing your stories. The pain and grief deeply hurts and shouldn’t be buried and tucked away. Live out loud and refuse to cease until we leave a safer world for all future generations.
Thank you,
Trenelle Gabay
