As community came together in Atlantic City on Monday, it was as much about those who weren’t there as it was about those gathered to keep focus on the increase in deadly violence especially among the youth.
Those lost to violence weren’t the only ones missing. There are those still out in the midst of it.
“Let’s be honest everybody. The people we need to affect are not here,” Council President Marty Small said in the Shiloh Baptist Church parking lot before the march began. “We need to go out to the community. ... We need to go get them.”
But those behind this increased movement for change are undeterred.
Lonniyell who gives no last name because she wants the focus on the community started weekly rallies with a bang at the city’s Dolphin Field, then moved to Pleasantville, Egg Harbor Township and back to Atlantic City with Monday’s march.
“We may not ever get the people that they are talking about but we are here representing the people,” she said.
“We have to be consistent,” is the mantra of her and the group of women who have joined with her to try to heal the community insist.
She knows they can’t be everywhere the trouble goes, but they will be in the place they are needed.
Everyone has an assignment, a reason for being where they are, she says.
“We have to move past the grief and focus on the assignment,” Lonniyell says.
“Each one, reach one,” was echoed as the group marched through Back Maryland.
Nate Evans Jr. is working to reach as many as he can.
Through his Never Quit and Associates, he goes in to schools and talks with kids. He’s hoping this will open up Atlantic City and Pleasantville to his group.
“A lot of these kids are suffering trauma,” he said. “I’ve found that trauma is learned. It’s not a produce of your DNA, it’s what they see in their environment.”
He challenged those gathered to tell a child they love them. To call a child a king or queen.
“Our kids are hurting,” he said. “They’re sick and searching for love.”
Lonniyell has promised that there will be at least something monthly to remind the community and keep focused.
“If we continue on like this, there’s not going to be time for gun violence,” Shalanda Austin said.
