A Year of Paine - June 6th marked one year since the tragic murder of student Amarr Murphy-Paine, which occurred at Garfield High School. This day also coincided with National Gun Violence Awareness Day, adding another layer of significance to the somber occasion. Converge Media is deeply honored and humbled that Amarr's family and the students of Garfield High School have allowed us to document and bear witness to this difficult Year of Paine over the last 12 months through our cameras.

In the past year, the Garfield community has not only mourned Amarr, but also two other students lost to gun violence. The impact of this violence extends beyond these losses, touching countless friends and families throughout the city. The students organized a walkout to commemorate the losses and to create a space for healing and community support.

The event was not only about remembrance, but also about empowering the students to express their feelings and demand a better future. It was a gathering to show the students that the community cares and that there are individuals who are committed to making decisions that will positively impact their lives.

Amarr's family is leading with faith, acknowledging the personal struggle and grief, but also the assignment they feel has been placed on them. Their goal is to represent Amarr in the most positive way possible and to help others understand that the ongoing gun violence is not normal. They emphasize the importance of kindness and caring as a way to counteract destruction, urging the students to embrace their experiences and transform their scars into reminders of survival.

Converge Media expresses our deepest condolences and unwavering love and support for the students, families, and community members who have lost loved ones to gun violence. Our hope is that the violence ends, and that these students will have a brighter, safer future.

Produced by Omari Salisbury, barry johnson, and Deaunte Damper

Camera:
Besa Gordon
ProofNThePlay
Francisco Lopez
Lawrence Alexander III
Keith "G Prez" Asphy
Jordan Somers
William Davis
Tavis Conway
Winfield Ezell, Jr.
Winfield Ezell III
Omari Salisbury
Barry Johnson
Carlos Imani

Editor:
Barry Johnson