COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Data from Richland County law enforcement agencies shows gun violence is on the rise, and a group of faith-based leaders is calling on those agencies to do more about it.

MORE Justice hosted a news conference at Reid Chapel AME Church in Columbia on Monday and called for a formal study of gun violence in the area.

“We show up with a demonstration of people power to get clear commitments from officials,” another speaker said. “Because people in our community need to make choices between paying for rent and paying for groceries because kids are being kicked out of a classroom because people are being gunned down in our streets.”

A Columbia pastor led a brief ceremony Wednesday to remember the 20 Columbia residents who lost their lives to gun violence in 2019, placing roses upon 20 empty chairs and asking people in the crowd to observe a moment of silence for those killed.