Tonight was the launch of the Baltimore Peace Movement Weekend Rally.
We gathered at Mount Holly & Edmonson Ave, a block west of where we normally meet. Because of the cold, St Bernardine Roman Catholic Church opened its doors so that those who were cold could warm up.
We stood on the corners, encouraging drivers to honk their horns, as we kicked off the Peace Movement Weekend.
The Baltimore Peace Movement began as the Baltimore Cease Fire, a movement to stop gun violence in Baltimore. Since then, as it has become a successful instrument in reducing the homicides and violence the city has traditionally experienced, it has expanded its mission to be more helpful to the people of Baltimore.
While we were gathered, one of our Ambassadors pointed out that just a block away, a young man, Lamel Edwards, had been killed.
The Baltimore Peace Movement has been doing Sacred Spaces since early in its history. We gather in spaces where someone has been hurt by violence in the city and intentionally bring peace to that space.
And so we did that tonight as well.
I also made a video:
The Baltimore Peace Movement has been an important reason why violence has decreased lately. Their work helping with mediation, comfort, and support for the families who have lost loved ones, and many many more things have been a healing salve on the city.
If you’d like to learn more about them and contribute to their work, you can do that here: https://baltimorepeacemovement.com