Lynn prays for peace

LYNN – A peace vigil filled with singing, clapping and the vow to end violence in the city took place at the Ford School Wednesday to kick off the holiday season.Rousing the audience with the spiritual song “This little light of mine,” the Follow Hymn Interfaith Choir belted out the song to unite the audience in the fight against violence.Organized by the Highlands Coalition and the Ford School, the event drew a large crowd that was filled with parents, students, teachers and those concerned with recent violent crimes plaguing the city.Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. recognized both new and familiar faces in the crowd and suggested that they bond together to ward off violence.”As we gather tonight for a purpose, I would suggest that we put all other things aside and focus on the important stuff,” he said. “Peace is fundamental.”Pleased by the large turnout on such a bitterly cold night, Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Kostan said the audience ventured out for a good cause.”Through strong partnerships we can achieve a better city and safer schools,” he said.Reverend William C. Hill led the audience in a moment of silence and urged those in attendance to join forces to put a stop to crime.With blue glow sticks in their hands, members of the audience and city officials waved the wands back and forth to symbolize a beacon of light for the city to see from the Highlands.”Our children deserve to live in peaceful homes, in a peaceful community and enjoy the same sense of security that older folks remember,” Hill said. “But alas the past is gone and peace is no longer the norm, but together we can bring about lasting peace.”Chief of Police John Suslak urged the younger members of the audience to listen to their parents and heed advice from teachers and elders.”You may not know quite as much as you think that you do and you can learn from your parents and teachers,” he said. “We’re all in this together. The problem we share with violence is serious but not insurmountable.”Citing numerous victims of violence over the past year, Candace Waldron of Help for Abused Women and Children (HAWC) said she could feel the vibe of love and peace in the room.”Think of ways to make peace in the community and in your own homes,” she said. “If we want peace in the world, peace at home is where it starts.”Moderator of the event and Highlands Coalition member David Gass advised parents to keep a watchful eye over how much TV their children watch and video games they play to decrease exposure to violent programs.”By the time kids reach the 8th grade, they have seen 100,000 violent incidents and 8,000 people die on TV,” he said. “We need to have more of these events and work with the neighborhood, because we have peace in the schools, but not peace when children leave the schools.”Gass urged parents to attend meetings of the Highlands Coalition and to get involved with the community.