nothin Kiana Rally Cry: Shooters “Stand Down” | New Haven Independent

Kiana Rally Cry: Shooters Stand Down”

Maya McFadden Photo

Kashon Brown, Courtney Brown, and Brittany Odom at rally.

More than 100 New Haveners marched Sunday and released balloons in memory of murdered 19-year-old former Hillhouse basketball forward Kiana Brown and all other 2020 victims of gun violence.

The youth-led rally was organized by anti-violence group Ice the Beef. Family members of Kiana Brown were invited and marched with neighbors and the student-organizers.

Please whatever information anybody, just come forward with anything please. My baby was everything. She loved to sing, dance. She was lit,” said Kiana’s cousin Courtney Brown.

Police say Brown was asleep inside a Valley Street residence on the morning of June 17 when a bullet intended for someone else took her life.

Ice the Beef President Chaz Carmon said that a total of $2,000 has been anonymously donated for the New Haven Police Department to reward an individual who can offer a tip leading to an arrest to Brown’s killer.

The crowd chanted S‑T-O‑P the violence” and No justice no peace” while marching down Dixwell avenue to the New Haven Green.

The Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker-Myers encouraged neighbors to engage with the youth they may see out in the streets with nothing to do.” Walker-Myers shared condolences for the Brown family and spoke about grieving only some months ago for her sister’s son, Dashown Myers, 18, a Wilbur Cross High School football player who was fatally shot on Feb. 23 at 1435 Quinnipiac Ave.

We are at a war right now in our community. We’re trying to protect our babies. And all these people that are hurt, out there picking up these guns and taking a life. We need you to stand down,” said Walker-Myers.

Green and white balloons were donated from Party City in support of the memorialization for Kiana.

KIana’s parents marched alongside four-generations of the Brown family including, cousins, siblings, aunts, uncles, and great-grandparents.

It’s all just so unfair, but this was comforting. It makes so an emotional wreck though,” said Kiana’s mother, Karen Brown.

Elaine Lester, 19, a friend of Kiana, read a poem on the Green before the balloon release. Lord I ask that you pray for my nation, my country, but most of all my city…” she shared.

Many wore personalized T‑shirts and mask with Kiana’s name and face on them.

Nyrobi Vargas, 15, an Ice the Beef member, read a poem she wrote about gun violence in 2017 after the death of 14-year-old Tyrick Keyes.

Tyrick’s mother, Demethra Telford, sent her condolences to the Sunday gathering from the hospital after unexpectedly being admitted for health issues. Carmon said that Telford hopes to connect with the Brown family to support them through their emotional journey of loss.

Kiana Brown.

City Health Director Maritza Bond handed out masks and hand sanitizer amongst the gathering crowd, which first met in the Stetson Branch Library rear parking lot. A dozen community activists, faith leaders, city officials, and alders marched alongside the Brown family and Dixwell neighbors to the Green for the rally.

Kiana’s public funeral service will be on Monday at 9 a.m at the Trinity Temple Church of God in Christ.

Watch the video below for the entire march and gathering on the New Haven Green with speakers.

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