Cease Fire opens door to combat violent crime

By Karin Hopkins

Admittedly, there is no simple, easy solution to the crime problem. However, there is agreement that the 2005 murder rate is the highest in Birmingham since 1997.

So on a cold, windy morning, and a Saturday at that, about 200 people crowded into Birmingham City Council chamber to hear about an idea that seeks to get the total community lined up on the side of peace and order. It's called Cease Fire.

According to the religious leaders in attendance, the church has a role in combating the violence that led to 105 killings last year, the highest number since 1997 when 108 killings were recorded.

The Rev. Steve Green, pastor of More Than Conquerors Faith Church, said, "Just as in the 1960s when the church played a major role and took the lead in fighting for civil rights, we must now in the 21st century rise again and fight for human rights, including the most basic right: the right to live."

Green added: "This will be a grassroots movement ecumenical in nature soliciting the help of every church, temple and synagogue. The great commission mandates for the church to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Without a sense of superiority, fear or condemnation, we will show the love of God."

The news conference was convened to launch the Cease Fire campaign. From corporations to neighborhood associations, everyone is asked to embrace Cease Fire. The Birmingham City Council immediately accepted the call to action. The Cease Fire mission will be adapted to each council committee beginning with citywide anti-crime summits, as recommended by Councilman Joel Montgomery, chairman of the council's Public Safety Committee.

Each council member will determine the date, time and place in his or her respective district for each of the summits, Montgomery explained, and the council member will host the meeting as the elected city representative of the district. Montgomery said he'd attend as well, "just to listen. In my committee chair position, I can take the input from the citizens who attend the summits and forward the information to the mayor's office for his awareness and response."

The vision extends far beyond city government. The organizers have developed a wide range of Cease Fire applications. The goal is mass saturation of the Cease Fire logo and message. According to the plan, implementation would be broad-based and far reaching.

Organizers propose that on selected Sundays or days of worship, churches, synagogues, temples and all clergy advocate the same message related to the Sixth Commandment: "Thou shall not kill."

Coordinators want newspapers, radio and television to communicate that message to their audiences,

The program also can be adapted by schools in lessons incorporating the Cease Fire concept and welcoming speakers into classrooms and assemblies to address faculty and students.

Organizers would like social service agencies and law enforcement to work with the campaign to increase the potential for long-term success. There is also an opportunity for utility companies and the corporate community to partner in this campaign to save lives.

Of all the perspective partners, the general public is at the top of the wish list. Everyone who values peace and order is asked to wear a Cease Fire T-shirt and display a Cease Fire yard sign. The logo features a white flag representing surrender and a gun propped against a gravestone symbolizing the death or end to violence. More important, the public is asked to adopt a nonviolent lifestyle.

At the kickoff news conference, statements of support were given by Green, Pastor Kevin Moore, facilitator of Mission Birmingham and Bishop Jim Lowe, chairman of the Birmingham Ministerial Alliance. Based on the response to the initial call, Green has high hopes for successful results. "I am convinced that history proves where there is strong, concerned, visible and proven leadership presented, Birmingham will follow, especially when there is no hidden agenda," Green said.

Sylvia Bennett-Stone knows the personal pain of losing a loved one to violence. Her daughter Krystal Joy Bennett was killed by gunfire in 2004. Stone advocated strong family values in an effort to keep Birmingham communities safe. Emanuel Ford, president of the Birmingham Citizens Advisory Board, which represents 99 city neighborhoods, challenged each individual to put forth a personal commitment to peace.

Everybody knows it won't be easy. Birmingham Police Chief Annetta Nunn said resorting security and order will be a tough fight. After speaking, she used the lyrics of a gospel song to make her final point: "I need you. You need me. We're all a part of God's body. Stand with me. Agree with me. We're all a part of God's body. It is His will that every need be supplied. You are important to me. I nee you to survive."

Karin Hopkins is senior public information officer for the Birmingham City Council. E-mail: karin.hopkins@ci.birmingham.al.us