'Stop the violence' marches continue in Halifax
Halifax police chief encouraged parents and kids to participate
Halifax's police chief and mayor were among hundreds of people who took part in a march Sunday to "stop the violence" in the city after three shooting deaths in less than a week.
The rally began at 4 p.m. at the corner of Novalea and Duffus Streets. It started with a prayer to end gun violence in Halifax before the group marched for several blocks to Grand Parade in Downtown Halifax.
'Stop the violence, keep the peace'
The march was organized by Quentrel Provo through his own non profit called 'Stop the Violence' — a community group that tries to reduce gun violence by working directly with young people. Community members mentor young people on how to peacefully resolve their differences.
The crowd chanted "stop the violence, keep the peace" as they marched.
Once the group reached Grand Parade, Mayor Mike Savage told the crowd, "We're all going to step up."
Provo says it's been a hard week, but that he was encouraged to see the number of people taking part.
Over the past week, there have been three shooting deaths, two in Halifax and one in North Preston. The latest to be investigated is the murder of 20-year-old Daverico Downey early Saturday morning.
Chief Jean-Michel Blais tweeted out his support for the march earlier in the day and encouraged parents to bring their children. Mayor Mike Savage was also in attendance.
Great turnout as we start our walk to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stoptheviolence?src=hash">#stoptheviolence</a> here in Halifax with <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeSavageHFX">@MikeSavageHFX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HfxRegPolice">@HfxRegpolice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RCMPNS">@RCMPNS</a> <a href="https://t.co/MPDS8PUrC5">pic.twitter.com/MPDS8PUrC5</a>
—@JMBlais1Stop the Violence march in Halifax. The crowd has grown quickly from about 50 to hundreds <a href="https://t.co/CEWkA2NxOe">pic.twitter.com/CEWkA2NxOe</a>
—@shainaluckThe crowd chants stop the violence, keep the peace <a href="https://t.co/dlxdQ3Nb7r">pic.twitter.com/dlxdQ3Nb7r</a>
—@shainaluckMarch has reached grand parade <a href="https://t.co/rO5V0vZCiQ">pic.twitter.com/rO5V0vZCiQ</a>
—@shainaluckMayor Mike Savage addresses crowd. "We're all going to step up" <a href="https://t.co/AjWNGV0I11">pic.twitter.com/AjWNGV0I11</a>
—@shainaluckMany have brought their children to the rally. <a href="https://t.co/Wy3IHpMsbn">pic.twitter.com/Wy3IHpMsbn</a>
—@shainaluckSpeaker says ghettoes are created. Asks what happens when community needs support? <a href="https://t.co/GrwHXWQyLN">pic.twitter.com/GrwHXWQyLN</a>
—@shainaluckMother asks for teen programs, support- "that may save someone's life" begs for people to put down the guns <a href="https://t.co/lYaO9pqhLe">pic.twitter.com/lYaO9pqhLe</a>
—@shainaluckWith files from Shaina Luck