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Funeral directors, morticians protest violence

ATLANTA — Funeral directors and morticians from across the state gathered today to spread a strong message in metro Atlanta.

They are the ones who deal with death every day and funeral directors said they are tired of the violence in our city.

Lead by Atlanta police officers, hearses, limousines and more than 200 bikers joined together to grab people's attention.

"Today we want to demonstrate to Atlanta to stop the violence," said Hall Davis, chairman of Funeral Directors Association. "We do not want to bury our children in our community."

The motorcade departed the Greater Springfield Baptist Church on Jones Avenue in northwest Atlanta. They made their way through the high-crime areas of metro Atlanta. "Stop the Violence" signs were prominently displayed on the side of the hearses.

"We are hoping Atlanta will rally and come together to stop these senseless murders," said Dr. Carol Williams, chairman of Funeral Directors Association.

Families who lost loved ones were there and the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association want people know that their jobs are starting to become more and more dangerous.

"Make funeral directors aware that they have to put some safety precautions when conducting funerals because we are beginning to have violence in funeral homes, churches," Davis said.

There has been violence like that before. Two people were killed and several were injured when a gunfight broke out outside of the Victory for the World Church last year during a funeral.

This is the third rally for the association. They have already gathered in Chicago and New Orleans trying to stop the violence.