FROM READERS: A variety of people from the community speak out about how to end violence

From left, Lesli Woods, Jaccara Ferrell-Nelson, Montiera Ferrell-Nelson and Deja Dennis of Oakland Junior High School and Dominique Thurman of Jefferson Junior High School answer the question "What issues do you think contribute to youth and gang violence in Columbia?"

Adrian Clifton, a teacher at Rock Bridge Elementary School, answered the question "How do you plan to silence the violence in Columbia?" at the Columbia Community Non-Violence Initiative's Silence the Violence event on Saturday.

Quincy Avant is a former gang member from Boston who spoke during the Columbia Community Non-Violence Initiative's Silence the Violence forum. He said he wanted to mentor youth in the community by hanging out with them and teaching them interview skills to help them get jobs.

TaQuaisha Nelson, sister of shooting victim Tevin Nelson, answers the question "What issues do you think contribute to youth and gang violence in Columbia?" at the Columbia Community Non-Violence Initiative's Silence the Violence event. Tevin Nelson was killed on Oct. 30, 2011, and his case remains unsolved. A moment of silence was held in his honor before the event's community forum began.

Shannon Robinson and her daughter, Erin Robinson, answer the question, "How do you plan to silence the violence in Columbia?" at the Columbia Community Non-Violence Initiative's Silence the Violence event. Shannon Robinson leads the Youth Voices 4 Advocacy Action Team and is a member of Urban Empowerment Ministries church.

Jajuan Morrissette attended the Columbia Community Non-Violence Initiative's Silence the Violence event. Morrissette gave an emotional testimony during the event's forum. He said that the violent environments he has lived in have forced him to fight throughout his life.