Phila. residents join hands for peace

A small group of community members stood on the corner of 34th and Market streets Saturday afternoon, carrying red signs that proclaimed, "Thou shalt not kill." They held hands in a show of solidarity against violence. The group was one of several participating in "Hands Across Philadelphia" -- an event primarily sponsored by Philadelphia's Father's Day Rally Committee and Million Man March Alliance. The event was advertised as an anti-violence demonstration during which Philadelphia residents would hold hands along Market Street -- from 63rd Street to 15th Street -- and on Broad Street -- both north and south of City Hall. Groups of concerned people at several locations along the route showed their support. Among those standing on 34th Street was local resident Leanne Nurse. "[I'm] just here to make a public stand against violence," she said. Nurse said although she has not been directly hit by violence during her 25 years in West Philadelphia, she has known friends and relatives who have. "Everybody thinks they are immune," Nurse said. Meanwhile, on 40th and Market streets, a group of about 35 people watched as the Powelton Steppers Drill Team danced and drummed in support. A Philadelphia resident of 19 years, Marvin Waddell said he hoped the event would increase awareness in a peaceful way. "The goal is to bring more attention to the violence on the street without showing the violence," he said. Waddell spoke of his own cousin, who was killed in a drug related incident. "[We have] got to change the culture," he said. "Hollywood glorifies [violence]." Life-long member of the community and mother of four Marcy Armstrong had her own philosophy about the violence in Philadelphia. "You have got to keep a positive attitude about things," she explained. Although she was not sure about the effectiveness of the event given the relatively low turnout, Armstrong said she was willing to show her support in hopes that it would help. Minutes before 5:30 p.m., Democratic Executive Committee Ward Leader Kevin Fassett called for the crowd -- which had grown by then to nearly 50 people -- to line up. The police cars nearby sounded their sirens at exactly 5:30 p.m. and all present held hands as curious onlookers drove by. When the sirens sounded again at 5:35 p.m., the crowd clapped as Fassett asked them to disperse "in peace." State Rep. Mike Horsey (D-Phila.) described Hands Across Philadelphia as a Million Man March follow-up and an attempt to curb the violence of the youth. "I think it was very successful," he added.