NCP Woodlawn Organizes A March Against Violence

By Terrance Miller (photos by Lonnie Richardson)

CAPS, NCP Members, and Commander Flectcher of 003rd District

Woodlawn’s March against Violence

On Saturday May 1, 2010 men women and children assembled at Apostolic Church of God to march against violence in Woodlawn.

The driving forces behind this event were members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement, CAPS (Ms. Faye Paterson) and the Woodlawn Public Safety Initiative (NCP Woodlawn).

The march kicked off with an inspirational prayer from Reverend Dr. Byron Brazier Pastor of Apostolic church. The prayer was followed by words of encouragement from Alderman Willie Cochran of the 20th Ward,

 Commander Fletcher of the 003 District Police Department and Mr. Rudy Nimocks of the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic-Engagement.

Jared White, a student at the University of Chicago made this a reality.

Jared rallied his Alpha brothers and they came out in big numbers to support this march.Marching to the cadence and chant of “stop the Violence save our children, stop the violence save our family” the marchers were the envy of neighborhood onlookers and supporters.The march was well organized and as the march proceeded many neighbors joined.The growing energy and camaraderie proved to be powerful and encouraging.

The marchers traveled west one block to 63rd St, and Kimbark, south to 62nd, St., and then proceeded west to Evans. At Evans the marchers went south to 63rd and Evans. At 63rd and Evans the marchers headed back east on 63rd St.

In a surprise move the marchers stopped between Cottage Grove and Maryland a designated hot spot, where the marchers continued to chant, with a loud unified voice “stop the violence save our children, stop the violence save our family.”

The on lookers and local merchants stopped with amazement as the marchers showed a powerful show of support for peace in the community.The march concluded at Apostolic Church of God.