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Guardians of the Children build tree monuments as a tribute

Posted at 8:44 PM, Nov 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-10 21:44:04-05

Volunteers are bringing a vacant lot back to life 8th Street and Concordia Avenue. It's all to honor children lost fro child abuse and violence. 

"The children did not ask to be murdered and taken from this earth, we will never stop remembering the kids that were murdered and that we represented or the ones that we didn't get to know," said "L.J" from Guardians of the Children. 

On Oct. 28th, 40 trees were planted and 10 children memorialized. Among those on hand, Steven Archer.

"My son passed away a couple of years ago from child abuse," he said.

Volunteers hand painted rocks with the names, birth, and death dates of the fallen children. A sad epitaph to a societal disgrace.

"It's a shame we have to do this. I wish we could have prevented some of these murders before they happened, but well keep doing it till the day we die," Archer said. 

To parents of children killed, Guardians of the Children are a blessing.

"Since my son passed away..they've shown up at every court date, and called to see how he was doing," Archer said.  

As the trees take root, survivors find comfort in knowing they are not alone, and the park will help advance awareness in the fight against child abuse.

"I feel at peace it feels great to have other people here, not just for my son but for other people who have died as well," Archer said.