Paul McCartney tried to imagine a world without gun violence — while standing just steps away from the spot where his former bandmate John Lennon was murdered.
McCartney, 75, was joined by his wife Nancy Shevell on Saturday during the March for Our Lives on Manhattan’s Upper West Side when he spoke off-camera to CNN’s Jason Carroll.
“One of my best friends was killed in gun violence right around here,"he said in a video obtained by Spin. "So, it's important to me."
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney joins the rally during a "March for Our Lives" demonstration demanding gun control in New York City on March 24, 2018. (SHANNON STAPLETON/REUTERS)
McCartney was asked what he hoped would be accomplished by the march and he showed off his T-shirt, which read: “We can end gun violence.”
As for whether or not changes could take place at the legislative level, McCartney told CNN that he doesn't know, but being a part of the march is way to work toward change.
"This is what we can do," he said. "So, I'm here to do it."
The New York City protest was held at 72nd Street between Columbus Ave. and Central Park West. The location is quite close to The Dakota building, at 1 West 72nd Street, where Lennon lived and was gunned down by Mark David Chapman on Dec. 8, 1980.
A 40-year-old Lennon was shot four times by Chapman in the archway of the Dakota and was pronounced dead on arrival at Roosevelt Hospital.
Chapman pleaded guilty to the shooting death of the Beatles singer. He was sentenced to 20 years to life and remains imprisoned.
In 2016, Chapman was denied parole and will be eligible once again later this year.
NYC’s March for Our Lives was also taking place near the Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park dedicated to Lennon, which was created by his widow Yoko Ono and landscape architect Bruce Kelly.
The march was just one of many happening across the country, including in Parkland, Fla., where tragedy struck on Feb. 14 when a gunman entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school, killing 17.
John Lennon returning from florist shop outside The Dakota. (CORKERY, RICHARD)
The main march is taking place in Washington, D.C., outside of the capital.
Fellow celebrities have joined in on the various marches, including Kim and Kayne West, Jennifer Hudson, Steven Spielberg, Jimmy Fallon and George and Amal Clooney.
Demi Lovato, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Miley Cyrus and Vic Mensa were some of the many performers who took the stage at the D.C. march.
- ny news
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