March a message against barbarism
Published:Wednesday | April 14, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Convenor of Sunday's 10,000-man march in Spanish Town, Bishop Rohan Edwards, said he is confident that the wave of optimism spurred by the initiative will inspire a revolution in the problem-plagued St Catherine capital.
Edwards, president of the Jamaica Association of Full Gospel Churches and chairman of Spanish Town Revival - an inter-church advocacy group - said the gathering was an important show of support for residents disgusted with wanton bloodletting.
"It sends a message. The people who need help and are crying out felt good yesterday (Sunday). The message came out clearly that someone is on your side," said the bishop, who estimated that a "massive" 15,000-16,000 persons gathered at the Sagicor complex in the Old Capital at the culmination of the march, which started in Greendale with a few hundred participants.
The minister expressed outrage at the manner of some of the killings that have occurred in the town this year.
"People want to feel free in their community, without being shot at their gate. Headless bodies are turning up.
"...It's past the stage of murder, it's barbaric, it's cannibalistic. ... Sup'm wrong!" he declared.
Edwards said that the Church was not only working on its knees in prayer but preaching door to door to youths in communities like Tawes Pen and De La Vega City, which he believes are turning the corner.
Charles Yee-Sing, a supporter of the march, agrees.
"When bishop does these expeditions, the effect is long-lasting because usually you don't hear the upsurge of violence. There are many weeks of peace, even months," he said.