‘We Are Linden’ aims to get residents involved in anti-violence work

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus group dedicated to making the community safer is hoping to get more community members involved in its efforts.

“The only way we can do this is together, to fight against this violence,” said Ralph Carter, Founder and CEO of We Are Linden.

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The group on Thursday held what it called an Emergency Community Call to Action. It happened one day after a 19-year-old man was shot and killed in Linden. 

“Just in lieu of the recent homicide that occurred yesterday, the young man that was 19, we just want to bring awareness to what’s going on, also just call on the community to let the residents know we are here and we need them to stand up alongside us,” Carter said.

The deadly shooting on Wednesday was the 15th homicide of the year, according to numbers from the Columbus Division of Police. That’s about half as many compared to the same time period in 2023. Carter said what happened Wednesday is a sad reminder work still needs to be done all over the city.

“Numbers are down but yes, we definitely can do better. That’s why we’re calling this to action because this hurts, I’ll say it again, this is a young man that’s a young father and now his child has to grow up without him,” Carter said. “One life lost is always too many.”

The gathering took place at the Bethel AME Church in Linden on Cleveland Avenue. Carter hoped it was a way to get more people involved.

“‘I’m hoping to accomplish bringing those residents that are all around in this area to be able to point them in the direction of how to serve that is meaningful to them. Everybody can serve in their own different capacity and we want to embrace that,” he said. “The message for tonight is I want everybody to be intentional and have that mindset saying not in my community, not in my city.”

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