East side residents walk for peace
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – About two dozen people gathered Saturday morning to walk for peace in their far east side community.
Charles Ingram, president of the GC3 Neighborhood Association, said, “According to IMPD, this is one of the high crime areas. This is one they have selected, but we want to change that.”
The group believes the change they’re looking for will come one step at a time. They started the walk at C.A.F.E on East 38th Street, proceeded east along East 38th Street to Mitthoeffer Road, and then south to Amber Woods Apartments on Jay Drive. The walk was about 1.5 miles.
Tamar White, 14, was one of the walkers.
“It shows that we care about our community. We don’t like violence. We want a future for the generations today and we don’t need the violence and guns around here,” she said.
Desmond Futrell, another walker, said, “I grew up on the east side at 38th and Post and so I know the situation out here and it’s gotten a little bit worse over the years and I just wanted to be able to a moment and make an attempt to make it better.”
The group chanted while trekking the same streets police say are plagued with violence. Along the way, other community members waived, cheered and even joined in he chanting.
La Keisha Jackson, president of the Far East Side Community Day, said, “It was a humbling experience to know that people care and they see what we’re doing and are giving us additional hope. Even though they were on the sideline they were still like cheerleaders waving and promoting us on and that felt good on the inside to let us know that we are making a difference.”
After the peace walk, hundreds of people enjoyed the Far East Side Community Day at Amber Woods Apartments where there were lots of giveaways and resources all aimed at creating a peaceful community.
