{"id":13351,"date":"2024-08-22T17:22:35","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T17:22:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=13351"},"modified":"2024-08-22T17:22:35","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T17:22:35","slug":"sisters-4-unity-stage-second-annual-communities-against-gun-violence-march","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/22\/sisters-4-unity-stage-second-annual-communities-against-gun-violence-march\/","title":{"rendered":"Sisters 4 Unity Stage Second Annual Communities Against Gun Violence March"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
In back from the left: Reverend Dr. TK Barger, Senior Minister, Joyce Moran, Joe Moran, Patt Church, Tom Sheehan. Front row from the left: Gini Gottman, Arenz Higgins and his grandmother, Gwen Wilson, Colette C\u00f3rdova, Julia McGhee. Photo courtesy of Tom Sheehan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Truth Staff<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Once again, the Sisters 4 Unity brought together a variety of organizations, community leaders and attendees focused on the goal of making the Toledo community safer, especially for youngsters.<\/p>\n

A community march on Saturday, August 17 began at Smith Park and also concluded in the same area so that a range of speakers could address issues on violence and commend the efforts of those bringing awareness of such issues to community residents.<\/p>\n

The Sisters 4 Unity stand out among those who are placing an emphasis on community violence \u2013 Aviance Hill, Abena Rowland, Lashawanda Kinnebrew and Jannell Ector have all had the misfortune to experience the catastrophe of losing a child to gun violence. However, instead of giving in to that sorrow and trying to heal by themselves, they have come together in an effort to use their families\u2019 misfortunes to help prevent others from undergoing similar experiences.<\/p>\n

The Sisters were joined in their Saturday march by the Maumee Bay Club and New Life Church of God in Christ. In addition, Smith Park on Saturday as the site of numerous other exhibitors and vendors. Visitors could register to vote, eat lunch or even ride a horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite their pain, they continue to show up for our community,\u201d said Malcom Cunningham, director of the Mayor\u2019s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, of the Sisters 4 Unity as he addressed the crowd following the march. \u201cThey are deeply committed to this work. But it\u2019s not just about losses, it\u2019s also about hope. They are working to address this issue [of violence] by getting to its true causes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Chantal (CJ) Jindani. CJ is a community resource advisor at the United Way 211 System. That is, she is one of the people who answer the phone when folks call 211 to get help. She set up her information table at the 2nd Annual Back to School Extravaganza and 2nd Annual Communities Against Violence March. Photo by Tom Sheehan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThis right here is the type of concern that put me in the Fire Department,\u201d said former Mayor Mike Bell, who also was the city\u2019s longest serving fire chief. \u201cThey care about service and care about issues. What this group of mothers is doing, it\u2019s going to take all of us to come together \u2013 it\u2019s about caring about people. So, I appreciate anything these mothers are doing to move this agenda forward \u2026 maybe the city of Toledo will be one of the first places in America to see if this will work \u2026 when there are zero [homicides] then we will have met our goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also speaking was Crystal Taylor of the Maumee Bay Club (part of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women\u2019s Club \u2013 Toledo Chapter). After explaining her group\u2019s reason for its alliance with the Sisters 4 Unity on march day and describing the other services they brought \u2013 such as the book bag giveaway, Taylor informed the attendees that a Zoom community conversation will be held on Friday, August 23 with Teny Gross of the Institute for Nonviolence in Chicago. Teny, noted Taylor, is a \u201cparamount peacemaker\u201d who has brought together \u201cformer gang members who go out and change the community\u201d<\/p>\n

Councilman Nick Komives, who has been a supporter of Sisters 4 Unity for a long time, also praised their efforts \u201cto come out and do the work \u2026 it\u2019s moving the needle on violence in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Komives urged those in attendance to pay attention to the Healing & Compassion Fund which is coming up for a vote in City Council. The Fund is a result of the work of Community Action Table Victim and Survivor Services group that is part of the mayor\u2019s office. The Fund will supplement current resources and help to ease barriers to survivors\u2019 recovery.<\/p>\n

Also speaking were Byron Davis and Chris Matthews, both part of the Violence Interrupters, to describe their efforts in various parts of the community.<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s Sisters 4 Unity march and engagement session at Smith Park was also accompanied by the Unitarian Action Committee of First Unitarian Church of Toledo which set up an information table for the second annual Back to School Extravaganza and second annual Communities Against Violence March.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n