NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Gun violence is now considered a public health crisis, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.
Gun violence has been named as the leading cause of death among young people nationwide. An anti-violence advocate said this announcement is long overdue.
"Gun violence has taken three people from me now," Clemmie Greenlee, founder of Nashville Peacemakers, said. "First, it was my own son in 2003, then it was my nephew in 2014 and now it's my niece in 2024."
Clemmie Greenlee has seen the extensive reach that gun violence has had, not only on her life, but on others in Nashville and surrounding cities.
After losing her only son in a gang-related shooting, Greenlee dedicated her life to change through the creation of Nashville Peacemakers: a nonprofit focused on curtailing violence in the community.
"I have been fighting for over 20 years with five thousand dollar grants, and look what I have been doing," Greenlee said. "You are never going to be able to stop it, but we know how to reduce it if you just give us the opportunity."
On Tuesday, Surgeon General Doctor Vivek Murthy announced that gun violence is now considered a public health crisis. Greenlee said this announcement creates more opportunities for action.
"I had been waiting on that for the last ten years to be said by one of them and it helps me now go tackle more options," Greenlee expressed. "I definitely want to head to the Health Department. Now that he said that, every health department in every state needs to get out there and get involved."
As of publication, Metro Police have recorded 36 fatal shootings, 164 non-fatal shootings, and 1,780 violent crimes committed with the threat of a firearm in 2024.
Greenlee explained that community members at the heart of the crisis need a seat at the table when it comes to future state and city conversations.
"How can you have stop-the-violence seminars if you don't have people from the real community at your table?" Greenlee asked.
"All these people [that] keep talking, including him [Murthy], need to come and walk in my shoes for a day," Greenlee added. "All these people sitting up in these offices thinking they have the solution for violence need to come and live in my community for a day."
Greenlee hosts a support group called 'Mothers over Murder' at the Rock United Church for those who lost a loved one to violence. On Tuesday, high school students from all over the country with Catholic Heart Work heard her story and stepped up to help create a bright space for Nashville mothers to heal.
"I think that is a huge thing of first getting people aware of what's happening," Catholic Heart Work Camp participant Brooke said.
"I think that it's tragic that it has almost become normalized," Lily, participant of Catholic Heart Work Camp, said.
Greenlee added that she plans to take Tuesday's news of the public health crisis and continue to rally the community for change.
"Throw all whatever hatred we have among each other and come together, love on each other, and let's stop burying these kids," Greenlee emphasized.