United Methodist walk in Akron takes aim at violence, encourages action on gun laws

With the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting and other recent deadly confrontations fresh on their minds, United Methodist Church members gathered at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron on Wednesday for a walk against violence.

Carrying signs that read “Love God, not guns,” “Save our kids! Stop the violence,” “Enough is enough” and “Never again. Please politicians, pass gun control now,” the crowd of about 125 trekked from the convention center to Family of Faith United Methodist Church on East Market Street in Akron.

Before, during and after the walk, the message was clear.

“Violence in every form — that’s what we’re standing against today, where people don’t feel safe to walk down the street,” said Tracy S. Malone, bishop of the East Ohio Conference of the church, before the walk began.

The conference is holding its annual meeting at the center from Thursday through Saturday, with roughly 1,000 people in attendance.

Malone encouraged those who assembled at the center to make the walk the start of a sustained effort to lobby legislators to take action against gun violence. The bishop urged walkers to call and write lawmaker to address the issue.

“We need to look at our policies and laws [against] violence in every form,” she said.

Malone called attention to Ethan Liming, the Firestone High School student who was killed during a fight on June 2. Liming’s father, Bill Liming, is lead pastor at Montrose Zion United Methodist Church, part of the United Methodist family. While Akron police have said the fight broke out after the student and three others fired a water-bead gel from a toy gun at four people playing basketball outside the I Promise School, they said the violent assault that took his life was an unwarranted response.

“That’s what we’re standing against today,” Malone said.

The bishop said violence of all forms has increased in recent years, citing social media, verbal violence and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C. as examples. The House select committee on the attack will broadcast its first public hearing on Thursday at 8 p.m. after 10 months of investigation.

“I definitely feel there has been an increase in our culture in violence, gun violence, verbal hostility and a disregard for others,” the bishop said.

'I have witnessed violence'

The Rev. Ron Shultz, pastor of Family of Faith United Methodist and an organizer of the walk, said the church is advocating for responsible gun laws to address the issue.

“Gun advocates have forced the national narrative on guns to include all guns into one basket,” he said. “If you take away one gun, you’re taking away their entire right to have guns.”

Individuals making the walk to Family of Faith said violence has become too prevalent in Northeast Ohio and beyond, with its toll too great to allow to continue.

David Whitt, pastor of Faith United Methodist Church in Twinsburg, said he’s seen the effect of gun violence on his family.

“I had a brother that was shot in the city of Cleveland when he was 22,” Whitt said.

Two nephews, a friend of a nephew and a brother-in-law were also shot.

“I have witnessed violence in many, many ways,” he said. “Change doesn’t happen unless we demand it.”

The Rev. Mikayla Doepker, a pastor at Mentor United Methodist Church, said the walk was the start of further action.

“I hope it’s the first step to put our prayers and hands and feet to action,” she said during the walk.

The walk is one of two demonstrations days apart in Akron. On Saturday, the youth-led organization March for Lives will hold more than 300 rallies against gun violence through the country, including an event at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Highland Square Branch of Akron-Summit County Public Library.

A community issue

As participants in Wednesday's walk approached Family of Faith church, they were greeted with a sign quoting scripture on the impact of violence: “God said: ‘Your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.”

The passage is from the book of Genesis, as God reacts to Cain killing his brother, Abel.

At the church, speakers from Akron City Council and the city’s director of Youth and Community Opportunity, Denico Buckley-Knight, repeated the message against violence.

Buckley-Knight said the issue extends beyond members of the United Methodist Church and participants in the walk.

“This is not just my role and issue,” Buckley-Knight said, “this is a community issue.”

Akron Councilman Jeff Fusco said societal divisions are impeding efforts to address gun violence.

“We’re asking for reasonable restrictions here,” he said. “In all my years of being involved… I have not seen this much hate between the left and right.”

Akron Councilman Shammas Malik said efforts to reduce violence need to extend beyond gun legislation.

“We have to acknowledge that there are [many] issues that people are dealing with … that lead to violence,” he said.

Among those are poverty, substandard housing and education, he said.

The search for common ground

Akron resident Rick Bohan, a member of Peninsula United Methodist Church, said the ready availability of guns was a key contributor to the rise in related violence.

“Kids are getting killed in their classrooms because our legislators won’t pass even basic [gun] laws,” he said.

Will Jones, director of multicultural vitality for the bishop, said he is always looking for more community partners to address issues that include gun violence and beyond. On Saturday, the church is planning a Peace with Justice rally in Canton, he said.

“We can find common ground on how we do right together,” he said.

As participants sat on the Family of Faith lawn, Shultz told them God’s message didn’t emerge from the barrel of a gun.

“Those people who call themselves Christians who promote guns are perverting … the message of God,” said Shultz. “The true interpretation of God is a God of love.”

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: United Methodist walk in Akron targets violence, urges action on guns