Dozens of families plant trees in honor of loved ones lost to gun violence
KMGH
and last updated 2021-05-01 19:16:02-04
DENVER Dozens of families got together Saturday morning to plant more than 200 trees honoring victims of gun violence.
The trees were planted at Park Hill Golf Course in Denver.
Among those planting a tree were T Chaka King and his family. They lost 17-year-old Davarie Armstrong in July 2020. I wake up everyday thinking about the situation and this right here is a start for me mending my own roots, said King.
King said he was mending his own roots after the death of his stepson, Davarie, by planting some.
In music circles, he s known as an all-purpose jazz man: saxophonist, composer, producer and radio host, Â who has backed up some of the biggest names in entertainment.
In Colorado political circles, he s the son of the state Rep. Tony Exum Sr., the lawmaker and retired fire fighter from Colorado Springs.
Tony Exum Jr. is expected to close a six-hour livestream telethon Friday beginning at 1 p.m. to support youth violence prevention in Colorado.
Thomas Exum
The telethon, called Mending Roots to Cultivate Communities, aims to raise public health concerns for children around gun violence in metro Denver communities.
The telethon also is expected to feature poet Suzi Q Smith, rap collective Last Supper and other local talent, organizers said.