John Ford and Fred Hogan mount the “Stop the Violence” banner at Lynn English High School. Photo by Paula Muller
By Leah Dearborn
LYNN — Marchers made some noise for peace on the streets of Lynn Saturday.
The third annual “Stop the Violence Lynn Peace Walk” drew hundreds of local middle and high school students in addition to other supporters.
“We’re trying to bring awareness,” said Ward 6 Councilor Peter L. Capano, one of the five founders of the event. “Just the idea that peace versus violence is always the way to go. There are a lot of good role models in the walk.”
Marchers followed a route that began at English High School and went down Goodridge Street before turning onto Chestnut, then over to Essex Street and Washington Street before eventually stopping at the gazebo at Lynn Common.
The Stop the Violence Lynn Committee (STVL) originally formed to give the city’s youth an alternative to violence, said Antonio Gutierrez, an outreach worker with Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy (LYSOA).
STVL member Fred Hogan said he helped found the walk because he saw students he once coached veer onto a path of violence, a pattern he wanted to prevent in the future.
Students turned out representing a variety of groups including cheerleaders from English who shouted cheers as marchers moved along the city streets.
Emely Florian, 16, a member of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at English said events like the peace walk help distract youth from unproductive activity and give them something useful to do.
Several local business and organization representatives were also at the peace walk to show support, including Daily Item Community Relations Director Carolina Trujillo.
STVL has organized a number of other events since the group formed, including a yearly speaker series that brought U.S Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz to Lynn. STVL member John Ford said there are plans to alternate the location of the walk every other year with a West Lynn route.
“If we help one kid, it’s worthwhile,” said Ford. “We want to keep kids as active as we can.”
