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New Bethel Baptist hosts anti-violence rally for youth
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Rally Against Gun Violence
Gallery
A rally against gun violence was held May29,2013 at New Bethel Baptist Church in Youngstown
A mix of message and music promoted the “Love and Protect Our Children” movement during an anti-violence rally Wednesday night at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St.
About 300 people attended the collaborative effort of Community Mobilization Coalition, Harambee Youth Group, Simply United Together, Youngstown State University Center for Diversity, Martin Luther King Planning Committee, Eastern Gateway Community College, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Youngstown-Warren Black Caucus.
The Rev. Kenneth Simon, pastor of the host church and chairman of the Community Mobilization Coalition, said, “This event is more than a rally, which has a beginning and an end. This is a movement ... a continuous event ... to affect change.”
He emphasized that the community must provide “positive alternatives” for youth and “take a proactive approach” to protect children, a most valuable resource from God. The pastor added there are various organizations, such as Harambee, which highlight children’s creativity and abilities.
“This means all the children, even those involved in crime. They’re not the enemy, but are being used by the enemy,” the Rev. Mr. Simon said.
Ron Miller of Harambee conducted the “libations” segment, which remembered loved ones lost to violence.
“This is a good beginning ... the carnage ... the self-genocide must stop,” he said. “Remembering the victims” highlights the “life-threatening crisis” of real lives lost, he added.
About 20 people who had submitted names of loved ones killed by violence called out their names, then the audience was invited to remember others.
Speaking was Shirlene Hill, mother of Jamail Johnson, a YSU senior killed Feb. 6, 2011, in an off- campus shooting incident.
“Our children are in trouble,” Hill said, adding it was “time to return to God and church.”
Children have “stuff aplenty,” that is, material goods that come and go, Hill said. “We need to give them something to sustain them ... God and ourselves.”
She continued that it is parents’ responsibility to have children attend church, where they will learn how to “live God’s word.”
“Children need to see what living right looks like,” she added.
Minister Kyle Earley of Cleveland emphasized that the “Love and Protect Our Children” rally “is not a moment but a movement.”
He urged families to “change their mindset” because when that happens, people and communities change. “I’ve been to too many funerals and vigils,” he said, adding that situation must change.
Also promoting the “love and protect our children” theme were six representatives of 1911 United, whose mission is “to invigorate the electorate” and encourage voters to “take responsibility for educating themselves on the electoral process.” Members are on an anti- violence bus tour to 30 neighborhoods.
A representative of the American Petroleum Institute also spoke about good-paying jobs that the industry will generate in Ohio and noted education and training are the keys to land such positions.