Subject: FW: Thousands March Against Violence
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Thousands March Against Violence
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African Americans tired of seeing young men die or go the jail saw something else Sunday.
By Tony Miller
June 1, 2008, 10:15 PM CDT
St. Louis, MO -- African Americans tired of seeing young men die or go the jail saw something else Sunday. Thousands Watch
A sea of Black men determined to stop the violence. They held up one index finger and shouted the word "one," a cry for unity with God and each other. The women who watched could not contain themselves. "I'm excited. That's My son right there. Hi baby," said Rholanda James.
One goal of "A Call to Oneness" is to strengthen the family. The Womack's answered that call. Rennell Parker marched with his young son perched on his shoulders. "I want him to learn self love and love for our people. That we don't have to hurt each other," said Parker.
The city police chief and the lt. gov. also marched. Enola Pevey, who's mother was killed by Black teens during a robbery told us she couldn't stay away. "We should take back our streets. This is ridiculous. And those kids, a 15-year-old child went to jail for murder. It shouldn't be that way," said Pevey.
Not everyone could walk. Embert Rankin Bey rolled in his wheelchair. "I want to stress to the young people that they can change. I'm a victim of violence," said Bey.
Organizers say the march is just the beginning. They hope to flood the community with jobs and mentors. They encouraged everyone here to conquer the violence with a message of love, like this one from Rev. Dr. F. James Clark of Shalom City of Peace church. "I'm not worried about your sagging pants and the earrings in your ears and the tattoos on your body. I've looked past that. I want to look and see your heart. And I want you to feel my heart. And we want to carve out a future for you," said Dr. Clark.
Police say they didn't estimate the size of the crowd. But Organizers say more than 50,000 people marched. www.acalltooneness.com
Copyright (c) 2008, KPLR
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This article originally appeared at:
http://cw11tv.trb.com/news/kplr-news-060108-4,0,2494405.story
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