Laventille cries for peace

MEMBERS of the St John’s Spiritual Baptist Church led by Pastor Dean Nottingham yesterday walked through the communities of Morvant and Laventille in a bid to convince those involved in crime to live God-fearing lives instead.

Dressed in white and chanting hymns, the Baptist contingent made their way to crime areas in Morvant and Laventille ringing their bells and blowing conch shells as they called on the residents to give their lives to God.

The peace rally started at Block 22 in Laventille at 7.30 am and ended at the Morvant Walkover at midday.

The participants quoted passages from scriptures which called on residents to let their voices be heard and reclaim their neighbourhood, their children and the nation from the grips of crime and lawlessness.

Wayne Bishop, chairman of the St John’s Spiritual Baptist Church told Newsday the rally was organised because members were concerned by the number of murders taking place in the country and the level of crime in the area.

He added that Government could not deal with crime alone and all members of the public needed to pray meaningfully to turn the situation around. “What we need is respect for each other and a coming together in prayer to heal in unity,” Bishop said.

He felt that the police presence, patrols and other devices employed by the State to deal with crime, would be futile without prayers and mutual respect for one another.

Bishop pointed out that he hoped the people involved in crime heeded the call to put down their weapons for the good of their community and country. He said the organisation was particularly concerned with the number of youths involved in crime and feared that an entire generation could be lost because of this.

Up to yesterday, the murder figure for the year stood at 140. According to police sources, the majority of gang-related murders took place in Laventille/Morvant.