Shreveporters march to stop the violence

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People bearing signs take part in a 10-block march Saturday along Fairfield Avenue in... — People bearing signs take part in a 10-block march Saturday along Fairfield Avenue in Shreveport to draw attention to the need to quell recent violence on the city's streets. (Source: Jeff Ferrell/KSLA News 12)

People marched 10 blocks Saturday along Fairfield Avenue in Shreveport's Cedar Grove... — People marched 10 blocks Saturday along Fairfield Avenue in Shreveport's Cedar Grove neighborhood in an effort to stop the violence. (Source: Jeff Ferrell/KSLA News 12)

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - The public is reclaiming its city against violence after a surge in recent shootings in Shreveport. Those efforts came in the form of two separate marches Saturday in different parts of the city.

One that got underway at 11 a.m. in the parking lot at Shower of Blessings Ministries at Fairfield Avenue at 66th Street began with this prayer by one of the participants:

"Lord, I just want you to keep your hands on our community. We need you right now."

Within a few minutes, that led to the march and chants of peace as the group walked southward along Fairfield Avenue. "Stop the violence! Stop the violence!"

Shreveport police have responded to nearly a dozen shootings, several of them deadly, in the past few weeks in the city's Cedar Grove and Queensborough neighborhoods. Last weekend, one of those shootings happened just blocks from Kendrick Macon's home.

"My kids are scared to go outside because of the violence and stuff like that."

That's when this husband and father of 3 said enough is enough and decided to organize the 10-block march. Shortly before the procession, Macon said, "I hope they come, that people come together and stop this foolishness, you know."

Shreveporter Will Ferguson said he turned out for his mother, who first made him aware of the event. "I stand behind her and, you know, she said we needed to come out today. And I agree with her, you know."

Marchers hoped this effort could have long-term results.

Several people said it really boils down to one thing, putting pressure, social pressure on those who might think about committing a crime.

Councilman Jeff Everson, who joined the group for part of the walk, explained that the community must step in where the city's efforts end. "We really have to come together with loving arms to say there's a better way."

Macon said he hopes to make this kind of march a regular event over the summer to try to deter further violence.

Just a few hours later Saturday, a very similar event in a different part of Shreveport drew even bigger crowds. But the message was the same as people marched and chanted "No more violence! No more violence!"

That anti-violence event in the city's Mooretown neighborhood attracted at least 100 people. It began at Clear Horizons Apartments and ended at Chris Hays Park in the 4300 block of Illinois Avenue.

For organizer Kim Lumzy, this became a very personal project. "God placed it on my heart to put together this rally to help bring a sense of togetherness into the community. And we started here in the Mooretown area."

Lumzy said she and others also plan to focus their attention on the Save Our Youth initiative. That will include talking with kids at local recreational center programs over the summer.