Leaders at Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church are pleading with the metro area to stop gun violence.
Traditionally, the church has a midnight service to celebrate the ringing in of the New Year. But this year, the service is dedicated to the lives lost in Newtown, Connecticut.
Ebenezer's senior pastor, Dr. Raphael Warnock, has issued an open invitation to families of gun violence victims and gun injury survivors. He's also calling on pastors, leaders and citizens to demand that guns not be fired in the air on this New Year's Eve.
"We're asking that at 12 midnight, when traditionally lots of people begin to shoot into the air, that this is no time to grab your weapon. Really, this is a time to find a quiet space to reflect on the words of Dr. King, who said that we will either learn to live together as brothers and sisters or die together as fools," said Warnock.
The Atlanta Police Department is also pleading with residents to not fire in the air at midnight. According to the APD's Facebook page, celebratory gunfire is illegal. If caught, a person can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined $1,000.
Arthur Huges had a shell crash through the roof of his Riverdale home on New Year's Eve in 2008. No one was hurt, but it left him shell-shocked.
"Every year you hate to see New Year's Eve come because you know there's going to be a lot of shooting and someone is going to get injured," said Huges.
In 2009, 4-year-old Marquel Peters was sitting in his church in Decatur when a bullet came through the roof and killed him. The young boy was sitting in a pew next to his mother, Nathalee,
"She's still heartbroken…She is very committed to slowing down this behavior," said Huges.
Huges has posted signs throughout the community to remind people to find another way to ring in the New Year.
"There are ways to celebrate like an air horn or fireworks but don't shoot a gun," said Huges. "You can injure someone -- and it's against the law."
The service at Ebenezer Baptist Church began at 10 p.m. At midnight, the organ at the church will chime 40 times, once for each victim of the Newtown, Connecticut massacre and 12 times for the most violent cities in America.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person. But Paul turned up the heat when he enlisted the help of two actresses from the new movie Operation Heat to play a little prank on his unsuspecting coworkers.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:29:22 GMT
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy. A study by the CDC released last week shows that one in every 20 kids is dealing with food allergies. It's a challenge, but doctors say it's important that kids get diagnosed and treated.
Dr. Raphael Warnock
