The City of Cincinnati’s Office of Human Relations, in collaboration with Everytown For Gun Safety, and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) are gearing up for another Gun Violence Memorial Project’s Object Collection event.

Survivor families again have the opportunity to contribute remembrance objects that honor and celebrate the lives of their loved ones taken by gun violence. If you are interested in having your loved one’s objects be a part of this powerful compilation you should plan to attend either of two in-person collection events in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

Participating families will donate mementos of their loved ones who were victims of gun violence. These keepsakes will be placed in a glass house memorial at the Building Museum in Washington, D.C. until May 2023, and be on display at all locations thereafter. Participants can also lend the Remembrance Object to the project, and it will be returned after the May 2023 closing. Objects in the display often include photographs, jewelry, baby shoes, graduation tassels, baseball caps, figurines, and other artifacts.

There are two locations that are accepting Remembrance Objects this weekend:

Friday, September 23, from 3:00-7:00 p.m.
Lincoln Recreation Center
1027 Linn Street, West End, OH 45203 and

Saturday, September 24, from 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Hirsch Recreation Center
3630 Reading Road, Avondale, OH 45229

The goal of the event is to communicate the enormity of the epidemic while also honoring the individuals whose lives have been taken.

“It is tragic, heartbreaking and unfortunate that gun violence continues to claim the lives of so many people each year,” Mayor Aftab said. “This object collection event is a reminder that each of these individuals had family, friends and community who loved them, and that their existence made a lasting impact. I hope people will look at these mementos and feel called to take action –to help put an end to these senseless acts of violence.”

Gun violence has claimed the lives of dozens of individuals in Cincinnati this year alone, leaving families and entire communities traumatized by the loss. By sharing a Remembrance Object that honors someone you love, together we can highlight the human toll of gun violence and inspire visitors to connect with the individual stories.

“It is incredibly important to show that this nationwide gun violence epidemic has a human face. There are countless families, friends and communities grieving the unthinkable loss of a loved one. This opportunity to remember and honor those lives will keep their memories alive in an impactful way,” stated Cincinnati City Manager Sheryl Long.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, in an average year in Ohio, 1,602 people die by guns. Ohio has the 24^th highest rate of gun deaths in the US. Each year, 3,753 people are wounded by guns. Ohio has the 13^th highest rate of gun injuries in the US. The rate of gun deaths has increased 44% from 2011 to 2020 in Ohio, compared to a 33% increase nationwide. This means that in 2020 there were 537 more gun deaths than in 2011. Also in Ohio, the rate of gun suicide increased 21% and gun homicide increased 79% from 2011 to 2020, compared to a 12% increase and 70% increase nationwide, respectively.

In Cincinnati, (as of this September 19) in 2021 there were 65 homicides (57 were gun related) and so far this year there have been 56 homicides (46 were gun related).

“No matter what neighborhood you reside in, we never want anyone to feel the pain and grief of losing a loved one. Our department continually looks at ways we can be innovative and aggressive when it comes to combating gun violence in Cincinnati. Whether that be investing resources into directed patrols in areas where our data shows high volumes of violent crimes, or funding resources like our city’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center, we are committed to reducing the number of lives lost in our city,” said Interim Police Chief Teresa Theetge.

For more information on gun violence in Ohio log onto https://everystat.org/

The Gun Violence Memorial Project, led by architecture firm MASS Design Group and artist Hank Willis Thomas in partnership with 8218 Truce Center, Stand 2 Oppose Gun Violence, Mothers Against Community Gun Violence, Engage - Lutherans for Gun Violence Prevention, The Philando Castile Relief Foundation, Purpose Over Pain, and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, is now open to the public at The National Building Museum in Washington D.C through May 2023.