'Parents Against Knives' march takes place through Glasgow
Kory McCrimmon died after he was stabbed following a confrontation in Greenfield Park in Glasgow's East End on May 31 last year.
Kory McCrimmon (Image: Archives)
To commemorate the first anniversary of the 16-year-old's death, his loved ones planned a 'Parents Against Knives' peaceful walk, which took place on Sunday, June 22.
Speaking ahead of the event, Kory's big brother Jamie told crowds that his sibling's absence is a 'senseless burden that his family have to carry for the rest of their lives'.
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Kory's brother Jamie speaking outside Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow before people take part in a Parents Against Knives walk from Ibrox Stadium to Parkhead in Glasgow. The walk has been organised by the family of Kory McCrimmon, 16, who died in 2024 (Image: Robert Perry/PA wire)
Jamie said: 'Losing Kory was a heartbreaking experience for everyone who loved him. He was a fun-loving, kind-hearted, and mischievous young boy who had so much more to live for.
'Kory's absence is a senseless burden that my family have to carry with us for the rest of our lives. I know we are not alone in this.
'Even in the last year, there have been so many other families affected by knife crime, and so many more young lives have been cut short.
'Our hearts go out to everyone in the same position as us. This walk is the first step in our journey to help reduce knife crime amongst the youth in Scotland.
'By making a stand and coming together, we can make a difference and push for changes that need to be made.
'The walk today is to prove that, through all the anger, violence, and pain, we can stand together peacefully and set an example to do better.
'Losing Kory was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through, but I want his death not to be in vain.
'I hope that his name and memory will help to provide a safer future for kids across Scotland.'
(Image: Newsquest staff)
READ NEXT: Scots warned to 'not carry weapons' amid youth violence concerns
The walk began at Ibrox Stadium in the city's Southside shortly after 1.30pm.
Hundreds of people joined Kory's parents, Neil and Elizabeth McCrimmon, and his brother as they braved the pouring rain.
(Image: Newsquest staff) Former footballer Mark Hateley (left) with Neil and Elizabeth McCrimmon, the parents of Kory, at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow before people take part in a Parents Against Knives walk from the Ibrox stadium to Parkhead in Glasgow. (Image: Robert Perry/PA wire) (Image: Robert Perry/PA wire)
Attendees wore t-shirts with a picture of the teenager and held banners as they made the six-mile journey to Celtic Park in the East End.
The walk was organised to help raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime and to remember all those who have been lost to knife crime.
Kory's aunt Jackie McTaggart (Image: Newsquest staff)
Jackie McTaggart, Kory's aunt, told the Glasgow Times, 'enough is enough', and that change is needed.
She added: 'Seeing the news about other kids who have died is horrendous for the family. For his mum and dad, it's unbearable.
'It's just a constant reminder that nothing has changed, and they're still doing it, kids are still out there picking up knives.
'Enough is enough. What we hope is that people will listen and take notice and maybe join the conversation.
'We just need change. I am over the moon at the turnout we've had. All we're saying is we want the kids to put down the weapons, but they do need something else in their lives.
'We need everyone to have an input on how we solve this. The community has been amazing in what has been an absolutely horrific year.
'His mum was thinking if we could do this walk today, highlight it and bring some attention to it, then maybe she can let her wee boy go to rest.
'Now we're quite welcome to see him everywhere if that's what it takes for someone to listen to us.'
(Image: Newsquest staff) (Image: Robert Perry/PA wire) Elizabeth McCrimmon, the mother of Kory, at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow before people take part in a Parents Against Knives walk from the Ibrox stadium to Parkhead in Glasgow. (Image: Robert Perry/PA wire)
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Last month, the Glasgow Times reported that a 14-year-old boy who admitted killing Kory following a dispute over £50 was sentenced to five years' detention.
Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, previously commented: "Too many lives are being devastated by knife crime in Scotland.
"Behind every statistic, hundreds of lives are irreversibly impacted with tragic consequences for everyone involved: family, friends, siblings, schoolmates, and the wider communities in which we all live.
'These are complex and sensitive situations which require a multi-agency response from the Scottish Government, victim support organisations, police, social work, youth work and others to work together to tackle knife crime and the devastation it causes.
"People across Scotland deserve to feel safe in their own communities. Recent legislative changes, recognising everyone under the age of 18 as a child, have had far-reaching consequences for victims of knife crime and all crimes involving young people.
"We will continue to work to ensure the rights of victims are upheld in this changing approach.
"Our Support for Families Bereaved by Crime team witnesses the irreparable damage done by knife crime, both on victims and the families they leave behind."
Anyone who has been affected by knife crime or any other type of crime can contact the Victim Support Scotland helpline on 0800 160 1985 or visit victimsupport.scot.
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They've not got the powers when it comes to children. 'So Mr Swinney, give the police their powers, make a difference, that is all we ask.' The march was organised by Kory's aunt, Jackie McTaggart, who says she wants to set up a meeting with the First Minister as a starting point to tackling knife crime, particularly among youths. She said: 'We want to speak to the First Minister and the Justice Secretary, so we're hoping we'll get that soon, and now we've said it publicly in the media. 'We're hoping that's the next step, so we can sit and speak to them and get everybody involved, like the police, the social work department, the youth workers, the school teachers, everybody. 'If we get them all working with our youth, then hopefully we can make a change and make a difference.' The march came in the wake of the deaths of teenagers Amen Teklay and Kayden Moy in separate incidents in recent weeks. Two boys aged 14 and 16 have appeared in court charged with murder following the death of 15-year-old Amen in the Maryhill area of Glasgow on March 5. Former footballer Mark Hateley (left) with Neil and Elizabeth McCrimmon (Robert Perry/PA) Kayden, 16, was found seriously injured on Irvine beach in North Ayrshire after police were called to the area at about 6.45pm on May 17. A 14-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys have appeared in court charged with murder following his death. The Parents Against Knives march set off from Rangers' Ibrox stadium and those taking part were walking to Celtic Park in the east end of the city. Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said: 'Too many lives are being devastated by knife crime in Scotland. 'Behind every statistic, hundreds of lives are irreversibly impacted with tragic consequences for everyone involved: family, friends, siblings, school mates and the wider communities in which we all live. 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'We owe it to every family affected to take meaningful action. That's why we have increased investment in prevention, support and enforcement; from record funding for Police Scotland to vital work by Medics Against Violence and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit. We stand with the families marching and we are committed to driving the change that keeps our young people safe.'
