Atlanta, GA — With deep sorrow and a renewed sense of urgency, The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change — widely known as The King Center — is mourning the loss and trauma resulting from the mass shooting that occurred early this morning in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn district, just steps away from where the Center stands as a beacon of peace and justice.
The shooting, which took place on Edgewood Avenue, left ten individuals wounded, all of whom are currently receiving medical treatment at Grady Memorial Hospital. Our thoughts and fervent prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community as we all grapple with yet another act of senseless gun violence that has struck the heart of our city.
This tragedy occurred in an area rich in civil rights history and home to The King Center itself — a sacred ground envisioned by our founder, the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King, as a global epicenter for nonviolence education, training, and strategic engagement for peacebuilding. The Sweet Auburn district, where this act of violence unfolded, is not just a historical neighborhood — it is a symbol of the struggle for justice, the dream of equality, and the practice of love in action.
The King Center is not only mourning this devastating event, but also reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the vision of the Beloved Community, a world where violence has no place, where conflict is resolved through understanding, and where every human life is regarded as sacred.
“We must not allow violence to define our communities. We must come together in truth and purpose to address the root causes of conflict and to end this cycle of trauma,” the Center said in a statement released this morning. “Our hearts break for those impacted by this latest tragedy, and we will continue to stand with Atlanta in the pursuit of healing and peace.”
Over the past four days alone, more than thirty people have been shot in Atlanta, painting a troubling picture of escalating violence that demands more than just outrage — it demands action. These tragedies, including this most recent incident, call on all of us — from elected officials to grassroots leaders, from community organizations to everyday citizens — to rededicate ourselves to nonviolent principles and practices.
The King Center is prepared to work collaboratively with the City of Atlanta, local organizations, faith leaders, and concerned residents to ensure that Sweet Auburn reflects the Beloved Community — a safe, thriving, and inclusive neighborhood where the dignity of every person is upheld.
As the community processes the pain and loss of this morning’s violence, The King Center offers its space, its programs, and its voice as a resource for healing, education, and collective strategy. We believe that together, we can restore hope and move toward a future where such violence no longer finds a home in our streets, our neighborhoods, or our hearts.
We encourage anyone affected by this tragedy to seek support and to remain engaged in the mission to build a better, more peaceful Atlanta.
In honor of those wounded and all lives lost to violence, The King Center remains steadfast — not just in mourning, but in movement.
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