A woman who grew up on 42nd Street and whose own family have witnessed some of the shootings across the Island is calling for the community to march to the House of Assembly today.

Juanita LeBron wants people to meet at the Hamilton Police Station at noon today and march to the House of Assembly to show unity against gang violence, which has resulted in 14 people being shot this year, and ask for zero tolerance from those that write, enforce and carry out the laws of Bermuda

Her appeal comes from a personal place, she is good friends and grew up with the family of Kumi Harford who was gunned down Saturday morning on St. Monica's Road, colloquially known as 42nd Street. No one has been arrested yet for the murder.

And she added that her own nephews have seen others shot. Two were with Kumi's brother Jakai when he was shot in the shoulder in the Camp Hill area of Southampton on Boxing Day 2007. Another of her nephews was with Kenwandee "Wheels" Robinson, 27, when he was killed after two men on a motorbike barrelled down St. Monica's Road, Pembroke and shot him in May this year.

"Upon learning of the death of Kumi Harford, I was stunned as tears streamed down my face and the details revealed of this cowardly ambush that claimed Kumi's life," she said. "In light of this latest senseless killing, I can no longer remain silent; silence is acceptance, ignorance is bliss and complacency is agreement."

Last night she said she was appealing to the community to work together to solve the problem and not turn their backs on the parents and families who have been impacted by the country's growing gang problem.

"I don't want to see another mother crying over her son's death," she said. "There are things we can do to stop this. We want zero tolerance from the Police and judiciary."

She said taxpayers money should be diverted away from the things such as the Bermuda Music Festival and put into building a forensic lab, establishing witness protection, and creating tougher legislation requiring lengthier prison stints for convicted gang members.

Already a hundred people have told her they will attend and she hoped more will join.

"We, the taxpayers demand that our taxpayer dollars be spent on strategising and implementing a plan committed to eliminating gangs, guns and gun violence," she said.

"We demand that our elected officials, the judiciary, law enforcement and the community, collectively but in their individual capacities enact stringent legislation, invest in state-of-the-art equipment, tools and resources, hire competent and committed manpower, and break the code of silence to win our fight against violence."

She added: "I want the families of those who have been shot to come out and be heard. I want people to se that they are still hurting and that 10 years, five years or one year after their loved ones have been killed the culprits remain free."