'January 8th Memorial Foundation' asks public to weigh in
Reporter: Maggie Vespa
Web Producer: Mekita Rivas
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Many of you have shared with us, that the Connecticut shooting has brought back memories of January 8th, 2011 and the tragedy that southern Arizona experienced.
Tuesday, a handful of groups dedicated to memorializing the lives lost on January 8th asked, for the first time, for your help.
Tuesday at the University of Arizona Medical Center heads of the January 8th Memorial Foundation announced they are taking their efforts public, asking for your input on what you want your memorial to be.
So far, the group has been gathering ideas from survivors of that day, as well as victims' families, including Ross Zimmerman.
His son Gabe, a then-staffer for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was among the six shot and killed in the January 8th attack.
"There's been a lot done to remember Gabe," he said. "My family is very satisfied with all the things that have occured in that regard, but we have not complete the process of developing a community memorial, and as I said, that's something that he would have liked to have seen carried forward properly."
"This is not going to be simply a piece of public art, simply a sculpture in a park," said board president Stephen Brigham. "This is going to be about democracy at its core, encouraging people to gather, to enjoy our climate, and to enjoy the spirit of Tucson."
Currently, board members say there are several memorial ideas floating around, such as building a new downtown plaza, or some sort of amphitheater.
There is also talk of having more than one official memorial site.
To weigh in, you can head to www.rememberingjanuary8.org or www.tucsonpimaartscouncil.org
Plans thus far to commemorate the second anniversary of that tragic day are as follows:
Saturday, January 5th
"Together We Move"
Noon-4 p.m.
Armory Park
220 S. 6th Avenue
Sunday January 6th
Interfaith Prayer Service
3:30-4:30 p.m.
St. Augustine Cathedral
192 S. Stone Avenue
Monday, January 7th
Ward 6 Town Hall Roast
7-9 p.m.
Loft Cinema
3233 East Speedway Boulevard
Tuesday, January 8th
University Medical Staff Remembrance Ceremony
10 a.m.
University Medical Center
Communitywide Remembrance Bell Ringing
10:10 a.m.
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