JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – College students in the City of Jackson are making a difference in the community by addressing gun violence and providing solutions to the issue.

Girls Against Gun Violence hosted their first event on the campus of Jackson State University (JSU) on Wednesday, August 28. The organization hopes to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.

The “Let’s Talk” panel discussion provided students a chance to connect with law enforcement organizations, such as the Jackson Police Department (JPD), and to discuss strategies to combat violence crime in the capital city.

Autumn Gould, a senior criminal justice major at JSU, is the president of Girls Against Gun Violence. A death in her family prompted her to become an activist and push for change.

“My godfather was killed. He was murdered, and the case was being open for years. So, I was like, ‘Okay, well, this is something I need to be a part of,’ because I feel as though I don’t want people to experience what I experienced as so young,” she said.

Gould said the community can expect more events, initiatives and collaborations with law enforcement throughout the year.

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