BY DEAN MOSES
On Saturday afternoon religious
leaders marched in the streets of the
Bronx in hopes of inspiring a more
peaceful New York City.
In recent months, gun crime has skyrocketed
throughout, with a shooting
occurring almost every day. This is in
addition to the civil unrest concerning
protesters and social unease thanks to
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leaving
Manhattan and the outer boroughs
in disarray.
In an effort to encourage a sense of
reconciliation and to call for an end to
violence, a group of faith leaders hailing
from a variety of different denominations
gathered at Grand Concourse
and Mount Eden Avenue to march for
peace at 1pm. This rally was the brainchild
of Marion Frampton founder of
TBS New Direction, a non profi t organization
that works with former gang
members to make a positive impact on
local neighborhoods. Frampton’s intention
is to remind the community that
there can be a peaceful resolution to
the violent encounters, but the effort
needs to be made by both the youth and
the churches.
“Right in this area right here we got
about 20 churches, how many of them
are open to the public? How many allow
our kids to come in for after school programs?
The responsibility of our pastors
and ministers and bishops is to go
into the community and do what they
can. They can’t help everybody, but
they have to do what they can. Not talk
about it, go do it,” Frampton told am-
NewYork Metro.
While Frampton holds some clergy
members accountable in terms of the
lack of outreach endeavors, he also
claims that many young people are
more diffi cult to positively stimulate
due to new ideals installed by a currency
driven society.
“We got faith leaders from all corners
of the Bronx coming out but it is
hard because the kids today, they don’t
believe. The only thing they believe
in is money because that is what they
are told is important. The increase in
BRONX TIMES R 56 EPORTER, DECEMBER 18-24, 2020 BTR
Photos by Dean Moses
crime has sprung up because of the
COVID-19 virus but our kids have
been going through this long before,”
Frampton added.
The uptick in crimes have hit the
Bronx particularly hard, most notably
with the discovery of two infant bodies
in the courtyard of 1460 College
Avenue and the countless shootings
leaving their traumatic mark on neighborhoods
already scarred by a history
of gang disputes. By seeing an assortment
of religions come together under
one peaceful banner, it is hoped that
individuals in danger of committing a
crime will feel more comfortable reaching
out to any of the local faith institutions,
not just members of their own
church.
An NYPD cruiser followed the
marchers as they strode up the sidewalk
carrying signs and chanting, “We
want peace in our streets!” The demonstration
culminated at the Bronx
Borough Courthouse where free, rapid
COVID-19 tests were available. Sammy
Ravelo—a retired detective—who
helped lead the march summed up the
day’s ultimate goal by telling amNewYork
Metro: “People don’t feel safe in the
street anymore, we are just trying to do
our part. If each one of us puts a little
grain in the bucket, I think we can get
something done.”
Religious leaders
march for peace in
the west Bronx
Reverend Oswald Denis stands in prayer prior to setting off on the march.
Photo by Dean Moses
By Lynn Gerbino
The Board of Directors of Throggs
Neck Homeowners Association wishes
everyone a joyous Christmas and holiday
season, whatever you may celebrate.
May you and your family fi nd
peace, heath and happiness in the New
Year.
We don’t know what will happen in
the next year in regard to having meetings,
and our next scheduled meeting
is supposed to be in March, but we
hope to start Zoom meetings in January
so we can start to catch up with
each other. Any news about a virtual
meeting will appear in January in the
Bronx Times and our Facebook page.
We will have to work out the logistics
and see how it works. Wish us luck in
getting it set up. For those that don’t
know how to log on to Zoom, please ask
your children or grandchildren to help
you. You can do it by phone or by computer.
It is really pretty easy!
We will start to collect dues in the
New Year and the reminders will be
sent in January. For new members who
wish to join, we will post the information
online and in the paper. The dues
are $15 per year, which is quite reasonable.
You also receive a subscription to
the Bronx Times Reporter with your
membership.
Please keep yourselves safe, wear
a mask. It is being respectful of your
friends and neighbors to do so.
Please check our Facebook page for
up to date information or our column
in the Bronx Times. You can call us at
718-823-0327.
CIVIC CENTER
Throggs Neck Homeowners
Association
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