On Saturday, Selma locals gathered at Selma University to advocate for non-violence and to fellowship at the Stop The Gun Violence rally.

Selma City Councilwoman Jannie Thomas led the event in her Ward but invited all members of the community of Selma.

“We’ve decided to take back our Ward,” Thomas said. “The kids are worried about the violence. We have children and elderly living in my Ward. We don’t want to get any more people killed in our ward.”

We’re bringing the families out to talk about gun violence,” Thomas said. “Having a gun isn’t the way to be. Their lives are taken away because of guns.”

Thomas said she grew up in Ward 7, and that times had changed since then.

She said people were afraid to come together and that events like this would help bring people together.

Dallas County Probate Judge-elect Jimmy Nunn also spoke at the rally.

“I will begin office in January,” said Nunn. “Crime is an issue here in Dallas County. We all must play our part. Every little bit we can put in is important. It is almost like baking a cake. All of us have different roles. The salt can’t do what the baking powder can do, but when we come together it is something for the good. All of us have different roles to play. I thank God that I’m in this position, and we can come together to make a difference in Dallas County and in Selma. A lot of times you think you have to be in a leadership role to make a difference, but you don’t.

“Everyone of us can make a difference in our community,” said Nunn. “From the little children on up, it can happen. It starts out small. Look at Selma High and R.B. Hudson they are fighting. We have to take hold of the children. We have to play our part in this. It is good to come together. We have had a lot of events like this, and we need to keep doing these events. We shouldn’t wait for another shooting.”