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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2011)
local news Northeast Portland Held Anti-Violence Events Saturday by Helen Silvis of The Skanner News T hree events Friday and Saturday, brought together men, women and youth in a community-led campaign to stop the violence that has taken the lives of five Black teens this year. Organizers are pushing to strengthen support networks in Portland’s African American and minority communities. Advocates say the increase in shootings and the death of five teens this year are simply the most visible signs of an environment that is failing many children and teens. On Friday, men and women gathered at Holladay Park near the Lloyd Center. The aim? To demonstrate a caring presence in a park where 14-year-old Shiloh Hampton was shot and killed just weeks ago. On Saturday, a ‘Teen Walk Against Violence’ made a statement in inner Northeast Portland. Later that afternoon, the Restore the Village campaign brought community members to the Police Activities League Youth Center at 422 N.E. 172nd Ave., to share ideas and plan events. Each group has plans for more events and activities in the weeks and months to come. At the Teen Walk Youth Lead but Adults also Support About 30 people set out from the Blazer Boys and Girls Club, Saturday, taking part c o in a Teen Walk Against Violence, organized by LaQuoya Tyler, her grandmother Roberta Tyler and friends from her church youth group. Along the way, more men women and children joined the group, and the numbers swelled to about 70. A chant of ‘Stop the Violence’ was delivered with upbeat energy as the walkers processed south on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. “I am going to help you lead this one, since it is the first,” said Roberta Tyler to the young people. “Next time it’s going to be up to you.” Many of the walkers had been personally touched by the loss of a loved one to vio- lence. Shelteria McDonald, 20, said her boyfriend was shot at the mall a year ago. Teressa Raiford lost her nephew Andre Payton last year. Others cited the recent shooting deaths of Shalamar Edmond, Shiloh Hampton, and Mario Alexander Marin. Sgt. Willie Halliburton came with his two teen children, and provided a police escort, even though it was his day off. Ms. Shaquita Louis walked along with family and friends of her daughter, missing teen Yashanee Vaughn. The first stop was Irving Park where Roberta Tyler asked people to come forward and say whatever was on their minds. Many spoke with inspirational effect, including: Pastor J.W. Friday, Troy Tate, Karen Jackson, Marsha McDonald, Teressa Raiford, Karl Acker and many others. m m u n I t Parenting and families was high on the list of topics. Speakers urged parents to get involved with their children, help them focus on school, and also that everyone should look out for their neighbors’ chil- dren. ”I want to say to the youth: We care about you. We love you,” said Karen Jackson. “It takes a village. So we need to push, pray until something happens. Push, pray until something happens. And it’s happening right now.” The activists say they want to build a net- work of support around struggling teens, offering alternatives to poverty, school fail- ure, isolation and gangs. Marty Williams, a coach at Grant High School told the Skanner News during the walk that parents may need support to get their kids to school on time every day. It isn’t easy to keep teens on track, he said, so sometimes parents just give up. Three things are vital to student success, Williams said. “Number one: You’ve got to show up,” he said. “Number two: You’ve got to follow through. You have to try because through trying you can recognize your potential and where you have to do better. It builds your confidence. Number three: You’ve got to finish. You have to finish that race. If you’re playing football, you can’t get to that line and not score the goal.” Marsha McDonald urged teens to get involved with positive activities. Her own y c a l e n church, Highland Christian Center, wel- comes any teens, she said. After service on every fourth Sunday, the church offers bas- ketball, food and other activities from 11 am. And the youth ministry is open to sug- gestions from youth. Karl Acker, a former Grant High School track star, who now attends Louisiana State University, spoke about the challenges fac- ing young black males. “As young Black males, as young Black females, we are targets,” he told the group. “There’s a war for our minds out here. We live in an information age… and we can get a piece of information so fast with the tech- nology we have. And what is it in the form of: advertising. They all want us to spend money.” Acker said having two involved parents was what helped him make it to university. For those who don’t have that, the commu- nity is the key. “If you are in our lives, you are going to have an effect,” he said. “We are only as strong as you all make us. We need y’all,” he said. “With you all telling us what’s real and what’s not we are not going to be fooled by an advertisement because they are telling us how to think they are telling us who we are and who we’re not. BET, MTV, looking at that and seeing the rappers you think: Read the rest online at www.theskanner.com d a r P ortland J une 2011 B ulletIn B oard INFORMED. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS SUMMER’S YOUTH VIOLENCE? We will discuss Intervention Programs, Foot Patrol Possibilities, Mentoring Possibilities, what can be done between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. University Park, 9009 N. Foss 6 – 7 p.m. Saturday June 4 If you have an event you want to share with the community, email it two weeks in advance to The Skanner at info@theskanner.com Friday & Saturday June 3 & 4 PARTY ON THE PATIO AT ALBERTINA’S RESTURANT AND SHOPS! Volunteer-run Albertina’s Restaurant and Shops will hold a Party on the Patio to officially open one of Portland’s most beautiful outdoor dining for the summer season. Friday 4 – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 424 NE 22nd Ave. Cafe benefits Albertina Kerr Centers. Friday June 3 COMMUNITY FORUM: GET INVOLVED, STAY Page 2 The Portland Skanner June 1, 2011 SUMMER KICK-OFF! OREGON STATE PARKS DAY! Enjoy free park admission, free camping for Saturday night (at regular campsites) and events at many of the parks. Check your Oregon State Parks. STARLIGHT PARADE! Grab your spot early to see the parade. The parade begins at NW Burnside and 9th Ave. It then travels through downtown Portland and ends at Lincoln High School. Parade starts at 8:30 p.m. TRIBUTE TO MARSHALL: A tribute to Marshall, celebrating Marshall High School’s 51 years educating students in Southeast Portland. The event will include food, entertainment, memorabilia displays and raffles. Noon to 3 p.m. Marshall High School campus 3905 SE 91st Ave. Sunday June 5 BEAVERTON HIGH SCHOOL 6TH ANNUAL POWWOW: Native American dancing, drumming, vendors and more. 1 – 10 p.m. 13000 SW second St. Beaverton, OR FriDay JuNe 10 2ND ANNUAL CARNIVAL AND SILENT AUCTION! Calling on the community to support the Humboldt Elementary Carnival and Silent Auction. 5:30 p.m. Humboldt Elementary School. Saturday June 11 KING NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALE DAY! 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Individual sales subject to various hours. Registrations must be received by June 8th to be listed on the map. For more info, contact us at info@kingneighborhood.org KIDS FREE FISHING DERBY! Free lunch & beverages, free fishing, casting contest, games, prizes and much more. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Merwin Park in Ariel, WA 12 miles east of Woodland, off SR 503.
