PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – “Better is Now: Violence in our Village” calls to change the culture of violence in Hampton Roads. An organized and orderly crowd of people were escorted by police along the roads of Portsmouth chanting “we want better.”
“We can be better. We can think better, and we can forgive a little better,” said Reverend Doctor Melvin Marriner, the leader of Grove Church. Marriner organized the march in a few weeks, following the tragic death of a 10 year old boy killed by a stray bullet.
The Honorable Johnny Morrison, Chief Judge of the City of Portsmouth joined march from the Portsmouth courthouse to the pavilion. Several elected officials were also in attendance including Speaker of the House Delegate Don Scott, Portsmouth Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke, Sheriff Michael Moore, and School Board Member Lakeesha ‘Klu’ Atkinson.
“Every great movement in the Black community started in a church,” said Delegate Don Scott. “We have an issue going on with gun violence with our youth. It’s so appropriate. I’m so grateful the church is now stepping in and really taking the lead. I know they’ve always done work in our communities, but now they’re taking it to another level and being much more visible. We can solve these problems. We can save our kids and our communities. I’m so grateful to the churches for stepping up. I just wanted to continue to be here to support and hopefully take this thing to the next level. I think this is a great start. You see all of the folks out here because we care about our kids, we love our kids, and we want to make sure that they know that we love them and that we’re not going to give up on them.”
During the march, hundreds of people continued the calls to ‘stop the violence’ in 757. Monica Atkins, the founder of Stop the Violence 757 marched with supporters.
“We need a change in our neighborhoods,” said Ricky Harrell, Stop the Violence 757. “We need people to get involved to have a solution to all this. Gun violence is in the neighborhood and the people in our neighborhood have the solution.”
Vontrese Rodgers, the mother of Daniel Rodgers, marched while carrying her son’s obituary from April 2024.
“It takes a village to raise a child. That’s where is all begins, and this violence just needs to end,” said Rodgers.
The wave of people then gathered at the Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion to hear testimonials from Atkins, Darrell Redmond with Give Back 2 Da Block, Angela Lane with Behavioral Health Care and Jakhia Council whose sister was killed at 17.
“I don’t stand here for just my son and my niece. I stand here for all of our kids because if one is affected, we’re all affected,” Atkins said.
Chief Stephen Jenkins, Portsmouth Police Chief joined by the RESET walk team on stage, issued a call to action.
“I need y’all, we need yall, sometimes this is all that stands between you sleeping well at night and utter chaos,” Jenkins said. “I’m encouraged by the fact that we’ve had so many people in attendance, because it does show us a representation of hope for our community.”
“We need your support. More importantly, we need your involvement,” Jenkins said.
Several giveaways were issued through a raffle including rental, gas and laundry items.
