MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Pastors from all across the city are standing together to help find whoever killed a Memphis teen.
“Respect your neighbor! Respect your family! Respect the police and we will have a respectful Memphis, Tennessee!” exclaimed Bishop Samuel Blount with Operation STOP.
Sunday, a spirited gathering was supposed to be about teaching black youth how to interact with police.
Across the country, several white officers are accused of killing unarmed black teens and men; a thought that makes many shudder with worry.
“The song is being sung,’ no justice, no peace” said Blount.
But at the last minute, Bishop Blount changed the message of the organization’s program, saying there is a bigger problem plaguing Memphis Tennessee.
“When should we stop the killing of our youth in Memphis, Tennessee?” asked Blount.
Blount and nearly a dozen of other church leaders from all across the city stood together Sunday morning, pleading for more pastors to join their cause. They say the first Sunday in May, they want every minister to preach against gang violence.
“We must be bold and move forward and not surrender our elderly, our handicap and our children to the hands of ruthless people,” stated Blount.
The first Sunday in May is already designated by Mayor AC Wharton to recognize educators, but the mayor says he supports this new movement too.
“Why is it important for that message to continue even after those little girls have been laid to rest?” asked WREG’s Elise Preston.
“I think it should happen because they have been laid to rest. Everything has been taken from them,” said Wharton.
Blount and other ministers hope the push by preachers on Sunday May 3rd also brings forward whoever killed 15-year-old Cateria Stokes.
“When is enough, enough? We do it now!” exclaimed Blount.