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200 gather to work to end violence

Parade and Block Party for Peace held at Westwood Community Center.

Trinity Combs, above and MyKael Sims play drums at the Westwood Community Center Saturday, Aug. 7. The center throw a block party offering food and give-aways along with performing drum and drill teams. Staff photo by Jim Noelker

JIM NOELKER/Westwood Community Center Block Trinity Combs, above and MyKael Sims play drums at the Westwood Community Center Saturday, Aug. 7. The center throw a block party offering food and give-aways along with performing drum and drill teams. Staff photo by Jim Noelker

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Photos: Westwood block party

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By Kim Margolis, Staff Writer Updated 1:22 AM Sunday, August 8, 2010

DAYTON — About 200 people gathered on the grounds of the Westwood Community Center on Saturday, Aug. 7, to spread goodwill and work towards ending violence.

The Parade and Block Party for Peace featured games, food and performances by drum lines all with the aim of ending violence..

Earlier this year, Ronika Owens-Clemons, 15, was shot to death on the Westwood PreK-8 Elementary School playground, near where Saturday’s gathering was held. Owens-Clemons is the fifth teen under 18 to die from gunfire in Dayton since 2008.

Jeremy Flowers, 18 and Stephen Rolls, 23 are members of Debbie’s Tuff Steppers drum line. They think gatherings like Saturday’s allow people to meet each other, know their intentions and then avoid future conflicts.

“A lot of people here go to school with each other, or see each other at the clubs,” Rolls said. “There is no tension if you know each other.”

Shallon Coleman sat at a table, handing out fliers about her nonprofit organization, Abigail’s Journey. The group works to help women who have been involved with violence, whether as a victim, witness or perpetrator, she said.

“They can help heal the family and the community,” she said. “It’s good to work with men but women have the stronger sphere of influence.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2216 or kmargolis@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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