Left In Lowell

A young woman was gunned down last week and left by the side of the road on Suffolk St. like yesterday’s trash.
She was not trash, she was a young woman on the cusp of living a full life… this was someone’s child.

How sad….How sad that the children that were with her, saw fit, not to get medical attention for her or call the police… just dumped her and apparently will not be charged with any crime.

As summer speeds upon us, as we all are well aware, street violence will rise and ganag activity will increase. It is important that all of us get involved and care about the neighborhoods we live and work in.

This young woman was found in the neighborhood I work, in the City that I live in. I’m outraged. We should all be outraged.

I’ve received several emails today on a rally to be held tomorrow evening at City Hall:

WHEN: Tuesday, May 19th at 5pm
WHERE: Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell

The latest communciation I rec’d was from Kathleen Marcin. Here is her email:

“Dear Neighborhood Leaders,

TUESDAY, MAY 19th, 5pm: LOWELL TEEN COALITION RALLY AGAINST THE VIOLENCE & BUDGET CUTS

I have it from Chief Lavallee that UTEC is holding an anti-violence rally on Tuesday at city hall and will be walking to Suffolk St. where Tavaryna Choeun was found shot last week.
It may seem a very small tribute to a young woman who lost her life, but it may also be the first step in gathering neighbors from around the city to say that this is not acceptable and we will stand up for those who may be reluctant to speak.

I am hopeful that you will each contact your neighbors and see if we can get the word out about this very important opportunity to say, “STOP VIOLENCE IN OUR CITY”!
I believe city administration needs to hear this message and understand that there can not be any compromises, budget or otherwise, when it comes to public safety. This is a message that has to come from every neighborhood in the city; I hope that you will encourage people from your area of the city to attend.

I have received the details below from Gregg Croteau at UTEC.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Thank you.

Kathleen Marcin
President, Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association

I have received the details below from Gregg Croteau at UTEC.

TUESDAY, MAY 19th, 5pm: LOWELL TEEN COALITION RALLY AGAINST THE VIOLENCE & BUDGET CUTS
Last Thursday, Tavaryna Choeun (a young woman of only 17 years of age) was pronounced dead after being shot in the head, an innocent victim of the latest act of violence in our community.

On this same day, youth programs in Lowell and across the state were learning of the difficult news that funding was cut for essential youth services.

This Tuesday, May 19th at 5pm on the steps of Lowell City Hall, young people from the Lowell Teen Coalition will be organizing a rally to speak out against the violence that most recently took the life of Tavaryna, and to speak out against the proposed budget cuts that increase the risk of more youth in our communities being victims of violence. A brief march will follow the rally.

Please join us as we urge our statehouse leaders and fellow community members to take action against such acts of violence.

Join us as we rally to “STOP KILLING. KEEP INVESTING!”

WHEN: Tuesday, May 19th at 5pm
WHERE: Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell

For more info, please contact Gregg Croteau (UTEC) at 978.265.7173 or Andy Chandonnet (YWCA of Lowell) at 978.328.6606.

The Lowell Teen Coalition is comprised of The Lowell Community Health Center, the United Teen Equality Center, YWCA of Lowell, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lowell, and the Boys and Girls Club of Lowell.