By Katie Sivco
WESH
OCALA, FL — In a passionate and emotional eulogy delivered at the funeral service of AJ Owens, Rev. Al Sharpton called for justice and accountability, demanding that the tragic incident that led to Owens’ death should not be buried or forgotten.
The public service took place on Monday at Meadowbrook Church, where friends, family, community members, and people from all over gathered to pay their respects to the mother of four who was fatally shot after confronting a neighbor.
Sharpton’s eulogy was a powerful call to action, as he addressed the congregation with unwavering determination.
“The world needs to know that we shouldn’t be here for a funeral this morning. They want to bury what happened to AJ, but we’re not going to be quiet about it,” he declared. “We’re not going away quietly because what happened here is wrong. We have come to stand with this family and to call wrong, wrong.”
The reverend praised young women activists, Owens’ close friends, who have been tirelessly striving to bring attention to the problem at hand, urging those who oppose their efforts to face their fears and allow them to speak the truth.
“If you’re scared, say you’re scared. Then shut up and sit down. Let some of us say what needs to be said. Don’t distort our words,” he passionately stated.
Addressing concerns about potential violence, Sharpton pointed out that the shooting of Owens through a locked door was an act of violence in itself. He emphasized that the community members who had taken to the streets in protest were not promoting violence but were there because they were victims of violence.
“We’re angry, but we’re not mad. We discipline our anger to seek justice and fairness. We can’t fight hate and violence by operating with hate and violence. That only helps those who want to divide us,” he asserted.
Sharpton expressed his disappointment in state officials who seemingly prioritize certain cases over others.
“I’m confused. When you have state officials that can stand up for some who are indicted for espionage but can’t stand up for a mother who was just standing up for her four children,” he questioned.
Taking a critical stance on the state of Florida, Sharpton declared, “Florida is where woke dies. What is the opposite of woke? To be asleep. We’re not going to sleep anymore. Maybe we took a nap, but we are awake now. You will not ever get away with this.”
He emphasized the need for collective responsibility, stating that the loss of unarmed lives should be seen as a threat to all
Sharpton also shared a personal connection to Owens’ story, reflecting on his own upbringing and the importance of mothers in the Black community.
“Most of my friends went to jail for doing wrong. My mom made me go to church,” he revealed.
Sharpton praised Owens’ mother for her courage and selflessness in standing up for her children, highlighting the sacrificial love and strength that mothers often exhibit.
Closing his eulogy, Sharpton invoked a message of hope, drawing parallels to historical moments of struggle and triumph.
“I was there when they shot Trayvon Martin. I was there when they choked Eric Garner. I was there when they kneed George Floyd. The same God that was at the Red Sea is the same God that can come into Ocala, Florida,” he said, inspiring the congregation to hold onto faith and continue fighting for justice.
The family has started this website, where they will be posting updates about the case and their fight for justice.
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