THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 1996 TAG: 9601160260
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMARA STANLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
When asked why she marched, Gaynelle Lawrence lifted the framed picture of Martin Luther King Jr. she was holding above her head a little higher.
``He did,'' she said.
But Lawrence and nearly 100 others came not only to honor the civil rights leader's birthday Monday.
They also marched to send a message to the younger generation to stop violence in their communities. Violence many had experienced.
Brenda Waters of Chesapeake, dressed in shiny gold African clothing, walked in remembrance of her sister, a mother of five, who was murdered six years ago in Chesapeake.
Some carried picket signs and chanted while others were silent.
Garlon and Yolanda Washington of Norfolk strolled Bethany, 1, and Bree, 3, through the crowd.
Garlon, who a year ago was robbed at gunpoint, hopes to show his children a different way of life.
``I brought them out at a young age (to get them involved),'' Garlon said. ``I know we can't return to yesteryear, Ozzie and Harriet and all that, but I hope we can get people loving each other and believing in family again.''
So does Maggie Warren of Christ Temple Church in Norfolk, who organized and led the one-hour march. The event began at the proposed site of the long-awaited King Memorial at Brambleton Avenue and Church Street, then proceeded along Princess Anne Road and ended at Booker T. Washington High School.
Warren based the event on Jeremiah 9:17, which reads, ``Hear the word of the Lord, call for the mourning women . . . for death has come unto our windows . . . to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.''
It speaks to present-day problems in the black community, Warren said.
``We're here to say to the young people, `Stop the violence,' '' she said.
``Show them that we are concerned. We're crying out for them. Stop killing each other. Get off the drugs. Let's all come together and do something about it.''
Through songs and a sermon delivered in the high school auditorium, Warren, march co-organizer Griot Felix Simmons, and others urged individual responsibility in stopping violence before it happens.
In Newport News, more than 1,000 men, women and children marched down Jefferson Avenue as part of the 1,000 Men-Plus for the Black Family March.
It was an outgrowth of the Million Man March that took place in Washington in October.
``That assembly of men sent a special message to bond the black community and individual institutions . . . to a covenant to help the black family at large,'' said the Rev. Marcellus Harris, who coordinated the Peninsula rally.
The marchers congregated at Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church, where they listened to speakers and pledged to work for community and family.
Participants left wearing black ribbons to symbolize their commitment.
Harris said January 15th was the only day to have such a march.
``Martin Luther King's birthday, a holiday,'' Harris said.
``It's just right to have it on his birthday.'' MEMO: Staff writer Denise Watson contributed to this story.
More coverage of Martin Luther King Day/B3
ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
VICKI CRONIS
The Virginian-Pilot
On Sixth Street in Newport News, Enico Brinkley looks back at the
marchers - who numbered about 1,000 - during the beginning of the
Martin Luther King Day commemoration. The event grew from the
Million Man March last October.
JIM WALKER
The Virginian-Pilot
Gaynelle Lawrence marches Monday in Norfolk with her sister,
Calethia, right.
JIM WALKER
The Virginian-Pilot
Edward James pushes Mattie Alston in a wheelchair during Norfolk's
march for Martin Luther King Day. The event began at Brambleton
Avenue and Church Street and ended at Booker T. Washington High
School.
by CNB