SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Black Lives Matter protests continue around the world, as well as in Syracuse. But this past weekend shootings sparked protests for a different cause by a local organization.
Protesters for Our Generation Against Violence took to the streets chanting, “what do we want? Stop the Violence! And when do we want it? Now!”
Leading the protest was Clifford Ryans, the founder of Our Generation Against Violence — more commonly known as OG’s Against Violence.
“We do what we call on the grounds with OG walks. Whenever we have a shooting in our community, we want to protest that shooting,” said Ryans.
His reason for starting this organization hits close to home.
“The inspiration came from losing my son to gun violence and supporting the rest of the community as well,” said Ryans.
He says five years later since the founding date of the organization, OG’s is still fighting for the same cause. This past Sunday, OG’s Against Gun Violence led a march after the shootings in Syracuse this weekend.
“We started where the shooting actually took place. Where the nine people got shot at. And we ended up walking a small perimeter of the westside of Syracuse,” said Ryans.
Protestors were heard chanting “If you see something, say something,” as they marched to bring awareness and to end gun violence.
Ryans says OG’s Against Violence is currently working on an initiative supporting women in Syracuse.
