Last summer, a close friend of mine was tragically shot at the Watermelon Festival in Pageland, South Carolina. Sean was supposed to graduate this year, but he didn’t get that chance. In the past 10 months alone, four seniors who should be walking the stage this year have lost their lives due to the violence our community has faced. The Watermelon Festival, once a joyful and celebrated event, has been overshadowed by these heartbreaking incidents. What should be a time of celebration has instead become a reminder of the loss our community continues to experience. We, the people of Pageland and surrounding areas, are calling for a reassessment of safety during this festival. I understand everyone has different opinions, but this is not about blaming law enforcement. It is about recognizing that, given the hurt and loss over the past 10 months, we need to seriously reevaluate safety precautions before moving forward this summer. As I shared in my email to the Town of Pageland, my goal is not to shut down the festival, but to ensure it operates with stronger, more effective safety measures that reflect the seriousness of past events. I have respectfully asked the Council to review current security practices and consider changes to improve active safety enforcement. If safety cannot be confidently ensured, we must consider the impact of continuing the festival under current conditions. Please sign this petition to encourage meaningful action, protect our community, and honor the lives we’ve lost.