Sit-in For Peace

Residents camp to promote peace on streets
RICHMOND: The Rev. Newsome says he and supporters want a truce to stop the city's violence

By John Geluardi
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

A group of Richmond residents has set up camp in one of the city's most violent neighborhoods to call for a truce on the streets.

Led by the Rev. Charles Newsome, about 20 people spent their first night Monday in a parking lot on Fourth Street across from Nevin Park. Newsome stood about 10 feet from a makeshift memorial that marks the spot where his cousin, Donald Bonner, 47, and family friend Shelia Givens, 42, were shot and killed in a July 22 drive-by.

"There are 31 of these (memorial) sites around Richmond, and this has to stop," said Newsome, president of the Richmond chapter of the NAACP. "We're here to call for a truce. We want people in the community to come together and say enough."

Newsome and his supporters say they will remain in the tent city until Monday afternoon, when the group will head to the Richmond Memorial Auditorium for the unveiling of a three-year plan to reduce violence. The faith-based Richmond Improvement Association has been working on the multipronged plan for 15 months. It will include youth tutoring, parolee support programs and a truancy component.

News of the camp spread quickly, and within an hour of the first tent being pitched Monday, people began to arrive on Fourth Street with food, water, cooking equipment and, more importantly, their support, said Freddie Jackson, a resident of central Richmond who has joined Newsome.

"We want other people who are tired of the killing and have not said anything to come forward and speak," Jackson said. "When we come together, we can talk to the young people."

Many of those who stopped by to show their support or spend the night had been touched by the violence that has plagued Richmond for more than 25 years.

This year there have been 31 homicides in Richmond -- two more than last year at this time. Two weeks ago, a spate of shootings took four lives in two days, and the community was shaken Saturday when a 42-year-old man was shot in face in front of 250 mourners in a funeral chapel. The victim survived but is in critical condition.

Albert Lee, a retired cook, brought cooking gear and food to the tent city. He spoke as he prepared a hot meal for his fellow inner-city outdoorsmen.

"My niece, Shelia Givens, was killed right there," he said, gesturing toward the curbside shrine. "I don't normally get involved in things like this, but things have gotten too bad. If I'm out here, you know it has to be real bad."

Prominent anti-violence activist the Rev. Andre Shumake said it was great to see the community show support.

"People were coming down right up until 11 p.m. (Monday) to bring food and water, and then starting at 6 in the morning (Tuesday), people were showing up with coffee and donuts," he said. "The support has been incredible."

Newsome, a former drug dealer who spent eight years in federal prisons, said he has wanted to set up the tent city for a long time.

"I'm tired," he said. "I'm tired, the community is tired and I know the people who are out there committing these homicides are tired. It has to stop."

Reach John Geluardi at 510-262-2787 or jgeluardi@cctimes.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to contribute food or cooking supplies, call 510-860-3681 or 510-478-7448.