'No Prayer, No Peace' march promotes partnerships between JPD and faith-based organizations
Shouts of "no prayer, no peace!" rang out over the weekend as residents and members of the Jackson Police Department marched through the streets of downtown Jackson.
The group was a part of a "No Prayer, No Peace" march as part of the "Faith and Blue," a national weekend of events that pair together police and faith-based organizations in an effort "to facilitate safer, stronger, more just and unified communities," according to the organization's website.
Starting at JPD Headquarters on East Pascagoula Street, the group marched toward the Thad Cochran Federal Courthouse, taking a right on Court street, marching down to South Roach Street and around the block back to the police station. Along with chants, the group joined in unison to sing gospel hymns with raised fists and hands pointed toward the sky.
Brad Coté and Henry Riley were marching together Saturday morning. Both are members of Jackson's Care Center Ministries, a religious organization located on North President Street that addresses the issues of addiction, poverty and crime. Coté serves as the director of the men's program.
Riley of Lambert came to Jackson in April to try and turn his life around. He said the men's program is great for young men who may be at a crossroads in their life.
"I plan on completing the program and go wherever the Lord take me from there," Riley said. "It's a good program for young men who really want to make a change in their life. I'm grateful that the Lord gave me another chance cause I'm 70 years old, and we wanted to come out here today to show people that. What really brought us out here is the word of god."
Coté, a native of Jackson, also said the reason their organization wanted to march was to show that churches need to stand side-by-side with officers because the police can't do it all by themselves.
"The churches need to wake up. The police can't be everywhere so if they're called to protect and serve the churches need to be able to serve," Coté said. "So if the churches in the neighborhoods are just going inside their doors and staying inside how are you serving your community?"
He said the march was a way to "try and take the city back."
"This is a national weekend, and we joined part four years ago when it first kicked off in Atlanta. Everywhere over America is celebrating this weekend for Faith and Blue," said Sgt. Fredrick Shuttles, a 21 year veteran of JPD who was one of the main coordinators of the march.
Suttles said events such as Saturday's No Prayer, No Peace March are important to show residents and those on the outside looking at Jackson that there are residents, officers and city leaders who are dedicated to ensuring a safe, strong community. He said some of the biggest issues Jackson is currently facing are juvenile crime and gun violence. Events like Faith and Blue hopefully encourage the youth that there are better alternatives and "show people that we are a better city than that."
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson residents march as part of national 'Faith and Blue' weekend
