EAST SIDE ACTION members team up for march

About 150 people participated in the two-block march.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- East Side resident John Fitzgerald II wants to see change in the city's neighborhoods.
That's why he, his son, John III, and about 150 others participated Saturday morning in the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods, or ACTION, Holy Ground Campaign.
"I want to let people know there are people who care about the city," said Fitzgerald, a member of Holy Bible Church of God. "There are good things about the city and good people living in the city. It's not all bad."
The group traveled from St. Patrick Church on Oak Hill Avenue, to Kenmore, Hillman and Cleveland avenues and back to the church, singing and dousing houses they believe promote drug activity with holy water and holy oil along the way.
Given an escort
Officers from Youngstown Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol traveled in their cruisers, escorting marchers.
"This is not a one-time event," said the Rev. Michael Harrison Sr., pastor of Union Baptist Church, Youngstown, and co-chairman of ACTION's Clergy Caucus. "We're going to change the city in which we live and take back the South Side one block at a time."
ACTION, a faith-based organization of 16 churches and two social-service organizations, has been active in several projects aimed at improving the city since its formation a few years ago.
The group worked to educate voters about tax issues and has been involved with the Youngstown 2010 project.
Erick Haywood, 14, also a member of Holy Bible, traveled at the front of the pack with other youth carrying a red ACTION banner.
"We want to fix abandoned houses and get rid of the drug houses," said the Hillman Middle School pupil.
The group wants dilapidated buildings demolished and drug houses and prostitution eradicated from the neighborhoods.
Chief didn't show
Councilman Clarence Boles, D-6th, pledged his support of the group's efforts, but when the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray of First Unitarian Church, Youngstown, used a megaphone to call for police chief Bob Bush, the chief wasn't there.
The Rev. Ms. Frederick-Gray said the chief had informed ACTION members that he would attend. "We will remember this," she said.
The next march is planned for May 8 at Holy Bible Church of God, St. Louis Avenue.