"Stop The Violence" March and Forum January 18, 2016



 Across the U.S.A. there are daily reports of escalating violent acts in our communities. In Prince George’s County, Maryland, the home of the most affluent (per capita) African-American population, overall crime has reduced by 17%, but violent crime has spiked. In fact year to date (2015) homicides have increased by more than 25% (from 54 homicides in 2014 to 76 ytd in 2015).

In an October 1, 2015, White House briefing after a gunman killed 9 people and injured 7 more in Umpqua Community in Roseburg, Oregon, President Barack H. Obama stated, "We have become numb to this." The Mayor of Seat Pleasant, MD in Prince George's County, Eugene W.Grant, and President of the 27 year old youth organization, Global Development for Youth, who called for the countywide March, responded, "Well, we have heard our President and our Stop The Violence March and Forum is intended to send a strong message that we want the violence to stop. We are pleased with the overwhelming support of our message and with those who have decided to join the march to help us take concrete actions to Stop The Violence."

The Stop The Violence March and Forum which was held on 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Day-January 18, 2016 was the 

beginning of a yearlong campaign that seeks to raise 

awareness about escalating violence in our communities, 

promotes sustainable prevention programs, and shares 

information regarding successful intervention services 

available to Prince George's County residents.

The March has a three-pronged approach: to Enlighten, Educate, and Empower. The March is designed to enlighten residents about 

the issues and impacts of violence through the March. The Forum is to educate the public on ways to identify violent tendencies 

and resources that may help them. The yearlong campaign 

will empower the people through a series of 

workshops, seminars and classes.

The marchers met at FedEx Field (Redskins Stadium) on Garrett Morgan Blvd. at 7:30am. Afterwards there was a forum 

that began at 12:00pm Noon at Jericho City of Praise. 

Coalition member, Dean Jerome Schiele, Bowie 

State University College Of Professional Studies, 

served as the moderator at the forum.

The Coalition, which was well represented, was a 

co-sponsor along with a host of elected officials, clergy, 

community groups an activists for the event. Mayor Grant's 

Global Development for Youth nonprofit was the 

lead organization. The Prince George's Suite, as well as 

various radio and television stations covered the event 

which took place at the Jericho City of Praise church 

in Landover, MD. Please take a moment to enjoy 

viewing the photographs ( Photos 1 and 2 above, 

which were taken courtesy of Mr. Maurice Fitzgerald).