COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Zanetia Henry did everything for two when she was pregnant with her son, Dre Charles Henry. She still thinks that way five years after he was shot and killed.
"When his life was taken, his voice was taken, so now I still do everything for two," she told 11Alive. "I'm still doing everything I can to make sure that he still has a life and a voice here on this earth."
On Thursday, she spoke with classes at McEachern High School in Cobb County and encouraged them to take a pledge against gun violence with Voices of Black Mothers United (VBMU).
The pledge goes:
"I will never bring a gun to school; I will never use a gun to settle a personal problem or dispute; I will use my influence with my friends to keep them from using guns to settle disputes. My individual choices and actions, when multiplied by those of young people throughout the country, will make a difference. Together, by honoring this pledge, we can reverse the violence and grow up in safety."
In December 2023, warrants show authorities arrested two 18-year-olds for bringing a rifle into a bathroom at McEachern High.
In February 2024, police said two people were shot in the parking lot at McEachern High School. At least four people were arrested.
"We weren't actually here in during that time, but we did see that happening, and we wanted to get in here and start that conversation," Henry said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to come back and continue this conversation and include parents in that conversation."
Since 1996, more than 10 million students have signed the pledge — including roughly 120 at McEachern on Thursday, according to Henry. She hopes those efforts will help save people like Dre.
"We want them to know that we value what they say. It's important because peers — most of the time — are going to be a greater influence to their other peers," she said. "If we can get those that understand and know how important it is to choose a positive resolution rather than violence to settle conflict, then they will rub off on their peers and their peers, and we'll we'll see a trickle effect of ending gun violence."
The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence culminates each year on a Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence, according to its website. This year's will take place on October 16, 2024.