Mayor Carey Davis joined the walkers as they sought to bring awareness to end gun violence.
The City of San Bernardino has witnessed nearly 500 murders since 2005; and in 2016, at press time, there have already been a shocking 46 homicides. This was depicted on the steps of City Hall as each participant laid a white stick representing murder victims of the past 10 years and a red stick was placed representing the murder victims from this year.
ICUC and other faith-based groups are encouraging San Bernardino leaders to adopt a program called Common Ground For Peace, which is modeled after an intervention program called Operation Cease Fire used in Oakland, Stockton and Richmond, CA. Those communities saw their murder rates decline as a result of the program. The Common Ground For Peace Program would seek to identify those in San Bernardino most at risk of committing gun violence and challenging them to change their lifestyle through education and career training.
As they walked through San Bernardino on Aug. 8, participants in the march chanted, “Alive and Free: It’s where we want to be.” The faith groups have held a series of night walks this year in impacted communities of San Bernardino to raise awareness about violence in the City and the Common Ground For Peace program.
“I want to impact the world not for recognition but to glorify God through his teachings and principles,” said Kesha McGee, Minister at Life Center Church, explaining her participation. “I walk standing in unity knowing that through God’s love, we can make a difference and change our communities.”
This effort brings to mind Ephesians 4:2-3 which says, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.” This is our plea for unity. To be free, we must not forget that we are one body, one spirit, gathered together sharing a common mission for a common good, the dignity of the human person. This right must be recognized and protected by civil authority within the limits of the common good and public order (CCC #1738).
For more information or upcoming dates on the next night walk, please contact the Office of Restorative Justice for details at (909) 475-5474.
Anna Hamilton is Associate Director of the Diocesean Office of Restorative Justice.