(Little Rock, KATV) — Activists from across Central Arkansas took to the streets of Little Rock to spread the plea for peace within our communities.
Dozens of groups joined the Pettus Helping Hands Foundation to march and stand in solidarity with one common goal- to stop the violence.
“We just want to raise awareness to let everyone know. We’ve got people from all neighborhoods and all walks of life coming here together as one to show love and unity,”Pettus Helping Hands Foundation, Founder, Kris Pettus, said.
This Little Rock Peace Walk was joined by organizations including Sims Strategic Mentoring, Goodfellas Barbershop, J.N.P., Legendary Institute, Suited N Booted, AuthenticallyYou, and Empower My Environment.
“No matter what community you come from, we all have the basic needs of safety, unity and non-violence in our community so it’s a universal message,”Empower My Environment, President, Charles Benson said.
People of the community all joined together, as they walked from Arkansas Baptist College all the way to the Arkansas State Capitol to enforce their cause and to break the negative stigma of an unsafe city.
“Everyone needs to see us all coming together. No separation. We’re all on the same mission to better Little Rock, Arkansas,” Pettus said.
Their hope is their efforts to engrain the message into the minds of the youth that they have a positive outlet rather than negative influences.
“We’re all working together to help our youth be empowered, be able to have skills, be able to have the mindset to do those positive things that they need to do,” LR Department of Community Programs, Community Violence Intervention Program, Manager, Marcus Montgomery said.
Though the walk was centered around Little Rock, the message is meant for everyone.
People from across Central Arkansas, including North Little Rock’s Officer Tommy Norman, joined in on the walk to support the cause.
“Without neighborhood and communities this city and this state won’t thrive,” Norman said. “This is not my state, this is our state. Tomorrow is not promised…We’ve got to stop losing so many young people to gun violence. And love… Peace… Unity… That’s where it starts.”
“We need it today. We’re surrounded by and just overshadowed by negativity so if we bring love the world will be better,” Pettus said.
The fight for peace doesn’t stop there, the organizations say they will continue host events to help strengthen our communities year around.
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