Take Back the Streets: Supporters of the peace movement march together to bring awareness to neighborhoods impacted by
violence. TNCP photo
Dalia Garza (left) and Vivian Bodiford (right) speak about Miranda Garza and James Jones III, who were engaged to be married. They were victims of a double homicide in 2008. TNCP photo
Peace Rally held to stop violence in Lansing during “National Crime Victim’s Rights” Week
By Nadine Defensor
LANSING, MI — About 273 people gathered and participated at the “Keep the P.E.A.C.E. & Stop the Silence” march on Saturday, April 28th to bring awareness to the violent crimes impacting the Greater Lansing community.
Despite of the chilly temperature that day, many raised their banner signs and chanted, “Keep the Peace! Stop the Silence! ” as they marched from the corner of Custer and Jerome Streets to the Foster Community Center in Lansing.
The City of Lansing’s P.E.A.C.E. (Police Enforcement And Community Engagement) initiative has been developed in an effort to address the serious challenges which confront our community. The P.E.A.C.E. initiative is a pro-active approach which addresses a number of the city’s fragile neighborhoods with an emphasis on changing community norms which contribute to violent crime in our community.
Lansing’s First Ward on the East side of Lansing is one of those neighborhoods in which P.E.A.C.E. would like to build on community partnerships in an effort to address gun violence, drug markets, and the environmental factors which contribute to violent crime in our community.
Survivors
Surviving family members of the violence victims marched in honor of the lost loved ones while also lending their support to other families who suffered the same experience. Others attended to learn more about the community issue.
After the march, a number of speeches were made at the Foster Community Center. Mayor Virg Bernero thanked those who attended while also reassuring everyone that the City of Lansing will be doing its best to end the violence in the city.
He also urges Lansing citizens to actively coordinate with the police if they sense suspicious or criminal activity in their neighborhood, as the police are not always present during these occurrences. Thus, Bernero expresses that the people of Lansing need to act as their own eyes and ears for the well being of the community.
Captain Daryl Green of the Lansing Police Department also spoke after the march, sympathizing to those who are painfully overcoming the death of a loved one. He shares that though he lost his uncle years ago, his passing still affects him to this day.
Family members of the victims then spoke to the crowd, painfully remembering their loved ones but also shared their concerns as well. They urged the attendees to take speedy action against the serious challenge that confronts the community when it comes to violence.
Amongst the marchers who spoke was John Edmond, the father of seven year old, Amaia, who was slain in 2010. Since then, he has become a leader in the fight against violence in the Greater Lansing Area. He reminded the crowd that any one could get involved with stopping the violence.
“We need to create a community where our youth feel safe enough to speak out and report violent or criminal activity to the police without fear,” said Edmond at the event.
The rally was organized by The New Citizens Press Community Action Network (TNCP CAN) along with members of the Keep the P.E.A.C.E. & Stop the Silence members, the City of Lansing and the Lansing Police Department.
In 2010, approximately 1,236 violent crimes have occurred in Lansing, according to FBI statistics reports. This makes Lansing as one of the top violent Michigan cities, behind Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids. To avoid further increase in crime numbers, Lansing community members have to work more closely with one another by reporting crimes as soon as it happen, in order to make the city a safer place for all.
Violence Impacts All of Us
Left: Dealing with the trauma of violence has a double effect on the families of murder victims, Miranda Garza and Ignacio “Notch” Bermudez.
Right: John Edmond (left) whose daughter, Amaia Edmond, was murdered listens to Captain Daryl Green of Lansing Police Department.
Bottom: Grief stricken Kristen Kinney 
mourns the loss of Frank Cunningham, who was murdered in 2012. Maine Brewer is still waiting for resolution of the unsolved murder of his relative Averill LeMon in 2008.
This was printed in the May 6, 2012 – May 19, 2012 Edition
