Pastor urges sadness, not rage, after white shooter kills 3 Black people in Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville Church Urges Peace and Emphasizes SDGs in Wake of Racist Shooting

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Introduction

The pastor of a church near the site of a racist fatal shooting in Jacksonville, Florida, called on congregants to follow the example of Jesus Christ and prevent their sadness from turning into rage. The shooting occurred on the same day as the 60th anniversary commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, led by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need to address racial inequality and promote peace and justice, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Church Service and Response

The St. Paul AME Church, located just 3 miles from the crime scene, held Sunday services that focused on the tragic event. The congregation expressed their sorrow and prayed for the victims’ families and the wider community. The pastor, Rev. Willie Barnes, urged the congregation to resist anger and seek solace in their faith.

• The choir sang “Amazing Grace” as a tribute to the victims.
• Ministers offered prayers for the affected families and the community.

The shooting took place in a predominantly Black neighborhood, where a masked white man entered a Dollar General store and opened fire, killing two men and one woman. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters quickly declared the incident as racially motivated. The shooter, who had a swastika symbol on one of his weapons, later took his own life at the scene.

Reflections on Civil Rights Movement

Rudolph McKissick, a national board member of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, drew parallels between the shooting and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. McKissick emphasized that despite the progress made since Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, the dream of racial equality remains unfulfilled. He condemned the shooter’s actions as an expression of bigotry and called for love and affirmation in the affected neighborhood.

Investigation and Community Response

The investigation revealed that the shooter had sent written statements to federal law enforcement and media outlets prior to the attack, indicating that it was intended to mark the fifth anniversary of a previous shooting. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the FBI, is treating the incident as a hate crime.

Local officials, including Mayor Donna Deegan, expressed their grief and condemned the act of violence. They emphasized the need to address hate and prevent such incidents from recurring in the community.

Addressing Racism and Promoting Peace

Bishop McKissick highlighted the underlying racial divide in Florida and criticized Governor Ron DeSantis for his alleged role in perpetuating bigotry. He called for honest conversations about racism and urged the community to work towards a more inclusive and just society.

The shooting occurred near Edward Waters University, a historically Black institution. While there is no evidence to suggest that the university was targeted, students were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure.

Historical Context and Community Reactions

This tragic event occurred just one day before the 63rd anniversary of “Ax Handle Saturday,” a notorious incident in Jacksonville’s history. On that day, Ku Klux Klan members attacked Black protesters who were peacefully demonstrating against racial segregation. The incident serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted racial tensions in the area.

Local residents and those who attended the March on Washington expressed their shock and disappointment at the shooting. They emphasized the importance of unity and peaceful activism in the face of violence and discrimination.

Conclusion

The shooting in Jacksonville serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and the urgent need to address systemic racism. It is crucial to promote peace, justice, and inclusivity in order to achieve the SDGs. The incident highlights the importance of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) in creating a more equitable and harmonious society.

Source: [Original Article Link]

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Reduce violence and related death rates
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
   • Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age
   • Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces
   • Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The main SDGs addressed are:

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses a racist shooting incident, emphasizing the need to reduce violence and related death rates (Target 16.1) and develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels (Target 16.6). The number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population (Indicator 16.1.1) and the proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services (Indicator 16.6.2) can be used to measure progress towards these targets.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article mentions the racial divide and ongoing disenfranchisement of Black people, highlighting the need to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all (Target 10.2). The proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities (Indicator 10.2.1) can be used to measure progress towards this target.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article references the shooting taking place in a predominantly Black neighborhood and the need for safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces (Target 11.7). The average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities (Indicator 11.7.1) can be used to measure progress towards this target.

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Source: apnews.com

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