Rally for Peace

In celebration of their first anniversary, the Concerned Residents of Redemption Sharpes and its Environs (CRRSE) in conjunction with the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) held a march and rally on Sunday, August 29, to culminate a week of activities{{more}}

The march, led by the Police band, commenced at Trigger Ridge and saw a number of church and community organisations marching around Redemption Sharpes before converging at the playing field.

Although there was not a huge turn out persons spent the afternoon singing and praying to God.

Setting the pace for the evening’s activities, a worship team sang lustily as many gyrated in unison and shouted at the top of their voices, proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ. Just before the worship session, one minute of silence was observed for the victims of murder in that area.

Commissioner of Police Keith Miller, in his address, said the neighbourhood group and the police are seeing the rekindling of unity between the RSVGPF and the Sharpes community.

The organising committee of the CRRSE was formed on August 25 over one year ago.

Miller lauded the committee for the work that they have been doing over the period to rid Redemption Sharpes and surrounding areas of crime and violence.

Miller noted that the CRRSE and the police have already executed 95 per cent of their plans, with their main objective being to unite the communities even closer.

“We have to forge relationships with members of the RSVGPF and render ourselves to do community service,” Miller stated.

Some of the week’s activities included: Community visits, radio programmes and church services.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Godfred Pompey, also partnered with Miller in commending the work of the organizing committee.

Pompey said such activity cements togetherness and with unity they can achieve great things. He added that programmes such as the Pan Against Crime and Summer School intitiative have been used as tools to help steer children on the correct path in life.

“We have to pool our resources together if we are to tackle the issue of crime and violence in our society,” Pompey stated.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Representative for Central Kingstown, Conrad Sayers, urged parents to teach their children about the Bible and instill in them life values .

“Children must be taught scriptural values…we must become peacemakers today,” said Sayers.

He also urged persons to become an asset instead of a liability to their various communities.

Five minute exhortations on several topics by representatives of religious groups were also part of the programme, followed by a number of churches performing short skits and songs.