By Clay LePard
clepard@cbs4qc.com
Families of Quad Cities murder victims say it's time to stop the violence.
In 2007, Michael Collier lost his cousin after she was stabbed by her boyfriend. It was that incident that made him start Pro Active, which stands for preventing, resolving, organizing and active in the community.
"That really affected me," he says. "It really made me strive to organize in our community. If we do nothing about it, its destined to repeat itself - bullets have no name."
Sunday, victim's families and friends came together to talk about what needs to be done and what they think are the biggest issues.
"Growing up, we didn't have this type of support for our youth," says Kel Branigan. "It makes me feel good that I can be a part of it. "
Kel Branigan lost his son in 2008 and says the biggest thing he wishes he did was talk to his son more.
"Focus on your kids, not just on the whole," he adds. "Do whatever has got to be done. Its can't to be an aspect of telling this and leave, you have to have your main focus on there."
While there was an emphasis on the future, there was still plenty of reflection on those lived already lost here in the Quad Cities, including a balloon for each victim of violence.
"Stop the violence," Dina Wright exclaims. Wright lost her daughter in 2007. "Let's get together and get that word out."
Collier says bringing these people together isn't easy, but it's worth it.
"Its really hurtful, its painful to see us going through this," he explains. "You got to do something, you got to stand up and do something. I was born here and if I don't do it, who else is going to do it?"
Organizers say they hope to have even more of these kinds of meetings and are planning two more in the next month.
