Pubdate: Sun, 13 Jul 2003
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2003 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Cristina C. Breen, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?1043 (Christianity)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues)

STOP THE KILLING WILL HALT CAMPAIGN 

Head Says Pause Needed To Examine Why Black Leaders Not Supportive

The head of the Stop the Killing Crusade says his campaign can't
continue without more support from Charlotte's black leaders.

The Rev. James Barnett on Saturday held a cookout to thank supporters,
while announcing that his group will "pause" for six months, starting
in January, to study why it isn't getting support from leaders,
particularly pastors of large African American churches.

"We have come to the decision that the community is not ready to
move," Barnett said. "As we pause, we want to ask leaders in our
community ... why after 15 years you haven't joined this campaign."

Barnett wouldn't elaborate.

The Rev. James Samuel, pastor of Little Rock AME Zion Church, answered
Barnett's question.

He said Barnett hasn't made enough face-to-face appeals to church
leaders for support, and that Barnett has accused pastors of
responding to murder only when it involves police brutality.

Samuel said he believes Barnett's group has done good work, but that
Barnett "should approach the churches not from an obligatory
perspective, but see that we are resource centers to which he must
market his cause.

"If he would sit down with me and ask for my support, he would get
it."

Stop The Killing is a 15-year-old organization aimed at preventing
homicides within the black community. Members hold vigils for slaying
victims, teach youngsters about the dangers of drugs and sponsor
cookouts to foster community relationships.

The group received $40,000 from the city of Charlotte for the 2003-04
fiscal year. Barnett said he will use that money for an aggressive
nonviolence campaign during the next six months, and afterward, the
organization will stop its activities while a group of college
students studies why it hasn't garnered more support.

After the study, Stop the Killing leaders will decide whether it
should continue, Barnett said. The organization has about 25 to 30
core members, he said, and now receives support from about 10 area
churches.

Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon said Saturday he's concerned to hear the
organization might not continue its activities, come January.

"Stop the Killing has been a great asset to the city," he said. "The
Reverend Barnett has done a fine job, and it is my hope that there
would be ongoing efforts by the organization."

He said he expects city officials will discuss the situation with Stop
the Killing leaders.

On Saturday, members of Stop the Killing said they worried the city's
homicide rate will rise if the group disbands.

"I feel as if there's going to be a lot of killing, because they'll
know we're not there, we're not visible," said Margaret Dawkins, who
noted that she makes regular drug patrols through neighborhoods as
part of Stop the Killing. "I'm out there and I see that it's going to
be really bad."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin