Residents of the Bronx in New York are preparing to hold a neighbourhood vigil on Thursday, November 5, in memory of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong, whose killing has renewed concerns about violence among young people.
Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, disclosed the planned gathering during an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Monday, November 2.
He explained that the event was being organised by residents of the neighbourhood where Javits was killed, rather than as a traditional Ghanaian one-week funeral observance.
According to the Ambassador, community members want the vigil to draw attention to what they consider an increase in violent behaviour among young people and to push authorities to take action.
He said residents were particularly concerned about gun violence, knife-related crimes and other criminal activities involving young people.
The Ambassador quoted the community as wanting to continue expressing its concerns to government authorities over gun laws, knife laws and youth-related crime.
Javits was fatally shot on October 29 while walking to school in the Bronx. The teenager, who had moved from Ghana to the United States about a year earlier to live with his father, later died from his injuries.
His death has prompted grief among classmates and residents. Students at DreamYard Preparatory School also held a silent gathering on November 2, displaying messages calling for justice and improved protection for young people.
Javits’ father has alleged that his son experienced bullying at school before the shooting. However, police have not established a motive or confirmed whether the reported bullying was connected to the killing.
The November 5 vigil is expected to bring the neighbourhood together to remember the teenager while renewing calls for action against youth violence.
