Post by lace on Oct 22, 2006 10:01:56 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Essex Ride Aims to End Domestic Violence [/glow]
Essex, Vermont - October 21, 2006
It's been nearly two months since the deadly shooting spree in Essex. Although two of the victims were shot inside an elementary school, police say the rampage was rooted in domestic violence. So on Saturday, the community came together to try to heal and help end domestic violence.
On a snowy morning, people have turned out for a ride, and along with their bikes they have brought their resolve. Women Helping Battered Women organized a four mile bike ride. The goal - end domestic violence - by raising awareness about the problem. "You can't have a movement without movement," said Corrie Martin, one of the organizers of the ride.
Martin said a ride somewhere in Chittenden County was planned before the shooting in Essex, but once that happened organizers decided it should happen here. "After the Essex community took this sense of loss and violence and sense that there safety was broken open we decided that this was really the place we need to be and we can be part of an effort to come together," she said.
Police say the Essex shooting was a case of domestic violence - a jilted lover who went after his girlfriend - but they say instead, he ended up killing two other people and injuring two more. "Cases like that show you how cases of domestic violence are not a private family matter it really is a community issue and that's why it takes a community to educate themselves and help each other," said Martin.
This was not a fundraiser, but a chance for people to reclaim their community. "I think it will take awhile for people to heal but it will get people talking," said Kelly McCann of Westford.
And trying to help this community heal is not going to end with this bike ride. This coming Wednesday Women Helping Battered Women is going to hold a community forum at Essex High School where they'll talk more about the impact of domestic violence.
www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=5572018&nav=menu183_2
Essex, Vermont - October 21, 2006
It's been nearly two months since the deadly shooting spree in Essex. Although two of the victims were shot inside an elementary school, police say the rampage was rooted in domestic violence. So on Saturday, the community came together to try to heal and help end domestic violence.
On a snowy morning, people have turned out for a ride, and along with their bikes they have brought their resolve. Women Helping Battered Women organized a four mile bike ride. The goal - end domestic violence - by raising awareness about the problem. "You can't have a movement without movement," said Corrie Martin, one of the organizers of the ride.
Martin said a ride somewhere in Chittenden County was planned before the shooting in Essex, but once that happened organizers decided it should happen here. "After the Essex community took this sense of loss and violence and sense that there safety was broken open we decided that this was really the place we need to be and we can be part of an effort to come together," she said.
Police say the Essex shooting was a case of domestic violence - a jilted lover who went after his girlfriend - but they say instead, he ended up killing two other people and injuring two more. "Cases like that show you how cases of domestic violence are not a private family matter it really is a community issue and that's why it takes a community to educate themselves and help each other," said Martin.
This was not a fundraiser, but a chance for people to reclaim their community. "I think it will take awhile for people to heal but it will get people talking," said Kelly McCann of Westford.
And trying to help this community heal is not going to end with this bike ride. This coming Wednesday Women Helping Battered Women is going to hold a community forum at Essex High School where they'll talk more about the impact of domestic violence.
www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=5572018&nav=menu183_2