Stop the violence event in Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn — David Morris couldn’t be silent any longer about the violence in his hometown.

“People always talk about the violence with the police but there are a lot of violence in the neighborhood we need to stop also.” Morris said.

He said his message is about more than just shootings.

“It’s just not gun violence. It’s domestic violence, child abuse and all the types of violence that’s going on right now.”

David said he partnered with several subways in the Jackson area and although he didn’t get the community response he was hoping for, he says his fight had to start somewhere.

“We are trying to do a positive thing out here and bring everyone together as one.” Morris said.

The Saturday anti-violence event was open to the community and included vendors from local Jackson businesses, bounce houses for the kids and even brought out Minnie Mouse.

Local gospel and R&B artist provided entertainment. Performers said something had to be done.

“Sometimes the violence and the bad things we hear overshadows the good things everyone is doing in the community,” Gospel recording artist Carita Cole said, ” So this event shines a light on the good and the positiveness that we are doing here.”

Violence is something singer Calvin Ross knows well.

“I’ve personally lost family and friends to the violence that just goes on throughout the community and I know a lot of other people who have lost real close loved ones.” Ross said.

Organizers say this is just the first of many events to come.

“We want to try and keep it going. We need to keep embedding it into peoples heads. .This needs to happen.” Organizer Morris said.

Morris also said he his next step is to go to the schools and see if he can help get kids involved with recreational activities. He hopes it will keep kids off the streets and out of trouble.