On July 5, Alton Sterling was killed by police officers in Baton Rouge.

15 year-old Cameron Sterling – son of Alton Sterling – grieves for his father’s loss.
Photo: wrkf.org/

Two days later in downtown Dallas, at the end of a peaceful protest against the police killings of Sterling and other black men, a lone shooter gunned down five police officers.

Police attempt to calm the crowd as someone is arrested near the scene of the sniper shooting in Dallas.
Photo:LAURA BUCKMAN / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

That unleashed a spasm of grief and tributes. President Obama flew to Dallas for an interfaith memorial service (video), where he spoke about the fallen officers, as well as race, including how to improve relations between police and the communities they serve.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a memorial service for five policemen killed last week in a sniper attack in Dallas, Texas July 12, 2016.
Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

And, on Thursday July, 14th, nearly 700 singers gathered in the Meyerson Symphony Center to join the choir and participate in the “Dallas Sings/Dallas Strong” tribute. Among them were local choir members, including homeless from the Dallas Street Choir, as well as lawyers, accountants and teachers.

Liz Mikel sings “Glory.”
Photo: Francesca Paris

Watch an excerpt of the performance by Thom Browne, Will Richey and Alejandro Perez Jr. at “Dallas Sings/Dallas Strong” at Meyerson Symphony Center:

On July 17, Baton Rouge grieved again, after a gunman killed three officers there.

Tomorrow, the KERA Newsroom is partnering with with WRKF in Baton Rouge and WWNO in New Orleans to produce “12 Days in July: Our Shared Tragedy,” an hour-long call-in special, at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 26. The program will look at how residents are coping with the violence in their cities – and how all Americans might learn from these tragedies.

For more information on ““12 Days in July: Our Shared Tragedy” click here.

’12 Days In July: Our Shared Tragedy’ airs at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Dallas/Fort Worth and other cities.
Photo: JAVIER GIRIBET-VARGAS / KERA NEWS SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

And to view archival footage of the entire “Dallas Sings/Dallas Strong” performance check out the video below: