Duke Participants to March Against Gun Violence

Disturbed by the recent shooting of longtime Duke employee Karen Paschall and other incidents of gun violence, members of the university community are joining local residents and thousands of others nationwide in a Mother's Day march on Washington, D.C.

The massive demonstration, titled the "Million Mom March," is a grassroots crusade aimed at reducing the proliferation of firearms in the United States and educating people about the dangers that guns present, said Marcia Owen, a Duke alumna and a local march organizer.

"Gun violence is much more than a political issue," Owen said. "It's the leading cause of death for children 19 and under in the United States. Every day, nearly 50 children in this country are killed or injured by guns.

"We're just asking for some common-sense measures," Owen said. "The careless, practically unrestricted way that we treat our 60 million privately owned handguns is creating a nation of fear and mourning. Clearly, it's time for action."

Local organizers estimate that as many as 100 university students and employees have committed to participate in the march. It's difficult to ascertain the actual number because participants are still registering through different channels, including the national web site, schools, daycare centers and churches, Owen said. Many people have reserved seats on one of the five buses chartered by local organizers. Others plan to make the trip using their own cars.

Deborah Horvitz, communications director of Duke's Office of Human Resources, where Paschall worked, said she will drive to the demonstration with a friend.

"I'm going to the rally to honor Karen," Horvitz said. "I'm going because that's something she would have done herself and because perhaps the only good that can come from her death will be if we create some positive change around that which killed her."

Horvitz and Paschall worked together closely in Human Resources for the five months prior to the March 22 shooting. Paschall came to work at Duke as a secretary in 1976, moved on to Duke Medical Center for a decade, then transferred to Duke News Service before taking the post in Human Resources.

Last month, after Paschall was killed, Human Resources commissioned a drawing of her, titled "Teaching the Cherubs to Dance," a reference to her service as instructor of the Expressions Modern Dance Troupe, an ensemble for young girls. T-shirts bearing the drawing and Paschall's name are being printed for those who wish to march in her memory.

Among the many state and local leaders who have expressed support for the march are Duke President Nannerl O. Keohane; Mary D.B.T. Semans, chair of The Duke Endowment; Dr. Kathleen J. Clem, director of Duke's emergency medicine department; Mike Ward, North Carolina superintendent of public instruction; Glenda Johnson, Durham district superintendent of the United Methodist Church; Ann Denlinger, Durham Public Schools superintendent; and Mary Ann Black, chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners.

Local coordinators of the march held a news conference in February to encourage Durham citizens to take part in the national event. Keohane was unable to attend the news conference, but in a prepared statement she said a common-sense gun policy "is sorely needed" in this country.

Written by Noah Bartolucci.