A man in his 20s is in critical condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania this morning after being shot in the neck near 53rd and Chestnut Streets, a block from where thousands of residents will form a human chain on Saturday in opposition to gun violence.

While the number of homicides in the city have dropped considerably this year, the drumbeat of shootings rolls on. Some 1,800 shootings have been reported in the city so far this year, according to police statistics. There have been more than 2,000 gunpoint robberies so far this year. That’s why the group Hands Across Philadelphia (Facebook page) is organizing a human chain along 52nd Street on Saturday to bring awareness to the gun violence epidemic.

The chain will include many members from Mothers in Charge, moms whose children have died in acts of gun violence. The idea is to bring everyone in the community together regardless of race, ethnicity or income to highlight a crisis that impacts everyone in the community.

The event begins at noon 10:30 a.m. and the chain will run along 52nd Street between Woodland and Parkside avenues.