6/4/25 C & G Special Edition — Macomb/Grosse Pointes

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NEWSPAPERS Special Edition

LEFT: Eastpointe Fire Chaplain Kevin Lancaster offers blessings while at Foot Locker. BELOW: Bishop Eric Lloyd, of Rhema International Church in Harper Woods, pictured center in the blazer and blue jeans, and Bishop Daryl Harris, president of Ceasefire Detroit and Detroit Community Clergy Alliance, far left in the baseball cap, gather with residents for the prayer walk May 16.

Photos by Patrica O’Blenes

‘NO

PASTORS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHER FOR PRAYER WALK

EASTPOINTE/HARPER WOODS/DETROIT — With the recent wave of crime that has hit Eastpointe — including a shooting that left two people dead and a stabbing in which one person was killed — a group of pastors recently gathered with about 125 residents to lift the community in prayer and denounce violence.

Bishop Eric Lloyd, of Rhema International Church in Harper Woods, organized a prayer walk May 16 that lined Kelly Road near Eight Mile Road. Together, the group

Congratulations, Mr. Miller

aochss@candgnews.com

WARREN — With a career spanning about 30 years, Warren Mott High School Band Director Erik Miller — or as I knew him, Mr. Miller — touched the lives of countless students. It’s why around 30 alumni with varying backgrounds, degrees, families and career choices all came together to honor him in an alumni band.

Over the course of a month and a couple of weeks, we practiced three pieces of music all with a connection to Miller, and even a new piece written with Miller in mind. At the first practice, my nerves were on end. Admittedly, I was scared — scared of how we’d all react to seeing each other once again, some of us with a decade or more since we sat as students. But as soon as we got started, it was like we never left in the first place. We made jokes, practiced the music and helped each other out with some of the musical language we may have forgotten.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to follow my sister’s footsteps and participate in

band. In fifth grade, I picked up a flute lent to me by my cousin and started my journey. No matter how hard it got in school, I always reminded myself that high school

Macomb County
Alumni of all ages and professions came together to play at a concert to honor Erik Miller, the retiring band director at Warren Mott High School.
Photos by Erin Sanchez
With a career spanning around 30 years, Erik Miller, band director at Warren Mott High School, touched the lives of many students.

HELP URGENTLY NEEDED AS SITUATION IN HAITI WORSENS

METRO DETROIT — A mission group to Haiti that includes churches in Sterling Heights, Southfield and more is sounding the alarm on the plight of the country — the poorest in the Western Hemisphere — as gangs have captured the town of Mirebalais, once a safe haven.

A letter by Kesner Gracia, an Episcopalian priest in Haiti, described the scene in April.

“Haiti has become a veritable human slaughterhouse,” he wrote. “In Mirebalais, the streets are littered with corpses. … Unspeakable scenes of terror unfold before our very eyes.”

Haiti Outreach Mission, a Troybased nonprofit, has been wiring funds to partners in Haiti since it’s no longer safe to travel there. Projects include medical and dental clinics, a lab and pharmacy, water purifiers, and funding for food, shelter and supplies.

People can help by donating to HOM, which also urges churches to help.

Five local churches are already involved: St. Blase Catholic Church in

See HAITI on page 6A

Center Line students know which way

CENTER LINE — It’s never too early to put yourself on the right path. That is exactly what Peck Elementary third grader Nathaniel Carter is doing. As a new student this year, staff noticed his low self-esteem, his struggle to create peer relationships and how he couldn’t concentrate in class.

“In October, we sat down with his mom and implemented a game plan, which totally turned Nathanial’s life around,” teacher Josephine Leone said.

Carter has become a very responsible student who checks in each morning with staff, attends daily reading intervention and greets Leone every day with a hug or fist bump.

“Nathanial has begun making friends and I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard him speak negatively about himself,” Leone said.

Carter was one of 13 Center Line Public School students who received Turn Around awards for the 2024-2025 school year. A ceremony, along with breakfast, was held May 21 inside the Center Line High School media center. Family members were invited to attend.

to ‘turn’
Photos by Valerie McNeece
LEFT: Dr. Dominque Monde-Matthews, founder of Haiti Outreach Mission, treats a young patient during a trip to the country in 2012. Many families have been displaced following recent events there. ABOVE: Tom Maza and John Messina, volunteers with Haiti Outreach Mission, assist a patient at a clinic during a visit in 2012.
The 13 Center Line Public Schools Turn Around award recipients and those who nominated them attended the ceremony May 21 inside the Center Line High School media center.
Photo by Maria Allard

band was the end goal. I stared in awe at the students in their maroon marching uniforms with matching yellow and white capes knowing that someday I, too, would stand there. Most of all, I heard stories from my sister about how great Miller was and all the fun they had while under his direction.

James McLennan, a former student, said he had an older brother who was in the band program and that’s where he met Miller. McLennan said Miller always gave him the nickname “Eager McBeaver” since he’s always excited to participate in things. McLennan has learned a lot from him.

“He’s very unique. There’s really nobody like him,” McLennan said. “I’ve known a lot of music teachers, and nobody is quite like him.”

McLennan said the idea of an alumni band was thrown around for several years and that two years ago they put the plans into motion. This process included commissioning a song for Miller to commemorate his final year as a teacher at Warren Mott. It proved a challenge since McLennan and a select few others didn’t want Miller to know and the number of alumni participating in the concert was still up in the air. The piece was written by Andrew David Perkins, a composer from Michigan who had worked with Miller before.

The alumni band played at the Warren Mott band program’s spring concert on May 14. Our names were listed in the program as well as the year we graduated. It’s scary to think the last time I walked Warren Mott’s halls as a student was 10 years ago. Time certainly seems to speed up once you become an adult with bills and responsibilities my high school brain could barely grasp.

Miller didn’t know about the alumni band until McLennan told him, and Miller

called it incredible.

“I think what it tells me is that you and others that have been a part of this program still have that connection and I think that’s what’s special to me,” Miller said. “It’s like you didn’t just leave high school and kind of forget everything you did here.”

McLennan is also a music teacher, and he was inspired by Miller to take that career path. Over the years, McLennan looked to Miller for help in his career and was even allowed to direct some of Miller’s classes when he was still learning.

“I graduated high school eight years ago, so I’ve spent more time with him as a peer and a colleague than I did as a student,” McLennan said. “Whether it was me feeling like I didn’t know how to solve some kind of problem with my students or with something at university he would even just open the door and let me come in and work with his kids so I can kind of work out any problem I was having.”

He said nobody else would be willing to do that. He said he and a lot of others wouldn’t have done the alumni band without him.

“A lot of music teachers retire, and people don’t gather like this,” McLennan said.

Miller said the last year has been bittersweet and quite hard in an emotional aspect. Over the course of his career, he said, he’s learned a lot more from students than he ever thought he would and that he has given more of himself. He also said he learned about the administrative side of things and so much more.

“I don’t know, I just learned a lot about myself, which probably wouldn’t happen if I wasn’t teaching,” Miller said.

When you have siblings who came before you, it’s a given that teachers and even students will compare you to each other. With family members in administration, that’s even more true. I’ve heard it all: “You’re her sister, aren’t you?” Or “Do you do this

the same?” Or any other set of comparisons.

But Miller didn’t do that. He didn’t compare me to my two sisters or vice versa. We were our own individual people, not a trio with the same personalities and set of skills.

Miller said when a new student from a set of siblings joins the program, he has to figure them out first because what works for one sibling may not work for another.

“Even though they may be from the same family, they’re still … they’re different,” Miller said. “I’m always kind of very aware of that. They may be different than the person that was here before them.”

Raven Ross, a former student teacher of Miller’s, said if it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have her career. She explained that when she was a student teacher around 10 years ago, she didn’t have a placement. A supervisor called Miller for a favor and told her to go meet him.

“I walked into the band room, and I remember seeing everybody and being nervous, but it worked out,” Ross said. “And so, quite literally, if he didn’t say yes, I would have no idea where I would be.”

Since her days as a student teacher, Ross has helped as a trumpet instructor at Mott and has seen her students grow up.

As I sat on that stage, the lights glaring down on us and dressed in our best, all the nerves from the first practice melted away. My heart still leapt in my chest looking at the sea of eyes staring at us, but I was ready for the performance to honor a man who meant so much to me and to all of us sitting on stage. Halfway through the last song, I felt tears coming on, but I held it together.

Miller said he wants his students to keep the music in their lives.

“First of all, it’s good for the mind. Second of all, it helps to let you see things in the world differently having that connection,” Miller said.

He also said to keep in touch with others.

“I think that’s the beauty, too, of music. It’s a family and I just ask students to keep that going even when they leave here,” Miller said.

Miller had a long and storied career filled with inside jokes, pranks, tears and lessons that will last a lifetime. My band experience was unique and unforgettable with him as my teacher. He pushed me to become better every day, and I enjoyed my time under his direction. Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with different Broadway shows with huge musical numbers and heart-wrenching storylines. But my love for music truly started in Mr. Miller’s classroom.

Turn Around

District Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Shannon McBrady created the Turn Around program several years ago. The awards are presented every year to students in grades K-12 who have overcome obstacles to improve their grades, behaviors and social skills. Teachers, counselors, principals and support staff employees nominate the students.

“I appreciate all the teachers, counselors and social workers that came out this morning that saw something in a student and chose to acknowledge them here today. Teachers, I appreciate everything that you do. Your love for your students is evident,” McBrady said. “Students, I hope you feel loved. You’ve done a great job working and trying and failing and trying again and succeeding. We’re very, very proud of you.”

Crothers Elementary fifth grade student Cali Edgerson found herself in the middle of school drama last year while in fourth grade teacher Brandy Wright’s class. After a while, she found the drama “sometimes comes with its own challenges,” Wright said. So, Wright and Edgerson had many conversations about focusing on her goals, tuning out the drama and believing in herself. Edgerson took those discussions seriously.

“What I’ve seen this year is a young woman who has truly grown,” Wright said.

Edgerson is now a student in Angelina Robb’s class and continues to make strides.

Roose Elementary social worker Ruth Paster-Davis recognized fifth grader Joseph Kratz. Paster-Davis read a statement from Principal Andrea Kennedy, who couldn’t make the ceremony.

“At the start of his journey at Roose, Joe faced challenges with behavior and selfregulation. He had a hard time regulating his emotions and behavior once he became upset,” Paster-Davis said. “However, through perseverance, reflection and a commitment to personal growth, Joe, along with a lot of help from his amazing and extended family, has worked really hard and has demonstrated a lot of growth. Today, he is a role model for younger students and is a valuable member of our safety patrol.”

CLHS Assistant Principals John Grob and Klaressa Howery honored junior Olivia Copeland for her resilience, determination and growth.

“I never thought I would be here. I’ve always struggled with school so it’s really awkward for me to be getting an accomplishment in school,” Copeland said. “So being here, I’m giving myself a real big pat on my back. I would like to thank Ms. How-

ery. I would like to thank Ms. (Jennifer) De Smet for my love for writing. She provided me with many notebooks throughout the years. And I would like to thank Mr. Grob for listening to my drama, and Mr. (Jason) McKay.”

Crothers kindergartener Zakari NashHudson, Roose third grader Evalynn Rice, Roose fifth grader Jace Lollar, Wolfe Middle School eighth graders Promise Jackson, Daniel Prochowski and Drew Summers, Academy 21 junior Milea Kostrzewa, Academy 21 senior KayLianna Cornell and CLHS senior Madelin Hoover also received Turn Around awards at the ceremony.

Reggie Harris, founder and owner of Shuga-Me Desserts, was the keynote speaker. Each award winner took home a cake from his company. The Academy 21 program was created several years ago as a hybrid virtual learning environment for high school students that had not been successful at Center Line High School.

CLARKSTON, MICHIGAN
TOP: Peck Elementary teacher Josephine Leone congratulated third grader Nathanial Carter. Behind them is Peck Principal Meghan Evoy. ABOVE: Center Line High School educator Laura Phy Daly, left, became emotional when honoring senior Madelin Hoover with her Turn Around award.
Photo by Maria Allard

Sterling Heights; St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield; Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Northville; St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor; and Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Detroit. A sixth is outside of Michigan: St. Bernard Catholic Church in Billings, Montana.

Dr. Dominique Monde-Matthews, HOM’s founder, said the people of Mirebalais have left their homes.

“The priests know where the camps are and they’re bringing them supplies. They’re also trying to continue schooling so the little ones have some normalcy,” she said. “By helping them stay alive, we hope they can return home someday.”

Another world

John Messina, a parishioner at St. Blase in Sterling Heights, has gone to Haiti with various groups 28 times.

“I remember the first trip in 2000,” he said. “It was like walking into a heatwave — just overwhelming.”

The town of Mirebalais is perched on a plateau in the mountains near the capital of Port-au-Prince, home to an estimated 200,000. Driving there is perilous, with blind switchbacks along sheer cliffs.

Aid workers say that once in town, outsiders are hit with the stench of sweat and garbage mixed with burning charcoal — the primary means of cooking in a place with no power.

Tightly packed houses line the winding streets. The homes are made of cement block

with metal roofs. Light flows through small windows with no screens. There are no furnaces or air conditioning.

There is no municipal water supply, either. Potable water is sold in 5-gallon jugs or smaller. A Haiti Outreach Mission store helps filter and disinfect the water.

Even before the gangs grew in strength, electricity was unreliable, created by hydropower strained by low levels in the river. HOM has tried to offset this with solar panels at the clinics and priest residences.

Yet despite the challenges, the Haitians endured.

‘They were still giving’

Aid workers describe the people of Mirebalais as warm and welcoming. Their faith keeps them strong, with many walking miles to church in their bare feet so their shoes won’t be dirty when they arrive.

Messina recalled driving with a priest to a church in the mountains — actually a blue tarp strung over some trees above an altar — and having to park on the road with rocks behind each wheel so it wouldn’t slide back downhill. He noticed a group of young adults following them.

“We found out they just wanted to make sure we got there safely,” Messina said. “After Mass, they clung to us and didn’t want us to leave. One gentleman went out and he brought a bushel of coconuts. He was apologetic about the condition of the roads and opened a coconut for each of us. He said, ‘This is a refreshment for you on your way back down the mountain.’ They don’t have enough food for themselves, but they were still giving to us.”

In Mirebalais, laundry is done in the

river with lye soap, laid across bushes to dry, and then smoothed with a metal iron filled with charcoal. Much of their time is dedicated to hygiene.

“We usually have rice, but one day they included drumsticks. And I saw a cleaning lady take one that we’d already eaten, and she started chewing on the gristle,” he said. “That was the first time I realized hunger.”

‘Difficult to walk away’

Monde-Matthews is a Haitian native who still has family there. She and her husband, Roger Matthews, founded HOM in 1998 after their honeymoon in her homeland. Backed by six U.S. churches, the group also works with two in Mirebalais: St. Pierre Episcopal Church and St. Louis Catholic Church.

HOM helped St. Pierre convert a building into a clinic staffed by a doctor, dentist, nurse and others. A lab was added later. When the clinic’s generator needed repairs, HOM replaced it. HOM also sent a compressor for the dental clinic and paid for provisions to feed kids. When mission trips were still possible, the group would also bring fluoride and medicine.

HOM also supports schools such as Monsignor Remi Augustin School — originally an orphanage built with money from St. Blase. The water purifiers nearby were funded by HOM and maintained by St. Louis.

Recently, HOM paid for solar panels at the St. Pierre clinic and St. Louis rectory. The panels are more reliable than the power company and cheaper than diesel.

But there’s much to be done, Messina said.

“The people line up outside the clinic the day before we arrive and wait all through the night. And the sad thing is when we leave, the line is just as long,” Messina said. “It’s difficult to walk away. I don’t know anyone who’s gone who wouldn’t be willing to go back.”

‘The biggest thing we give them is hope’ Now, much of the city is abandoned. HOM estimates there are about 10,000 people displaced nearby.

“When the gangs started taking over Port-au-Prince, the refugees wound up in Mirebalais, and we helped them. Now, the tables have turned, and the people of Mirebalais are refugees. And one wonders if the gangs will march farther and get them again,” said Monde-Matthews. “It’s so sad.”

In his letter, Gracia, the Episcopalian priest in Mirebalais, said that “misery, for its part, is intensifying.”

“Bellies are empty. Children are crying from hunger. Parents, who left without taking anything with them, are powerless to hear their children’s cries,” he wrote.

He urged Americans to give what time and money they can.

“Every gesture counts,” Gracia said. “Solidarity can save a life.”

Messina agreed.

“The biggest thing we give them is hope,” he said.

Donations to HOM are tax deductible. To donate, click the “Donate” button at haitioutreachmission.org, or write a check to “Haiti Outreach Mission,” 5700 Crooks Road, Suite 100, Troy, MI 48098. To learn more, call (248) 385-7411 or visit haitiout reachmission.org.

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RETRO RIDES REV UP LOCAL CAR SHOWS

METRO DETROIT — “This is quite a group. I was here last week. There were 374 cars,” Shelby Township resident Tom Konicki said. “There are quality cars here. Cars that are so rare. Beautiful cars.”

Konicki was talking about the Fun Time Cruzers, back on the road for another season of hot rods, muscle cars and vintage vibes. For almost 20 years, the Cruzers met at Lakeside in Sterling Heights. When the mall closed last year, it put the brakes on their weekly car shows.

Start those engines because the group found a new home from 4 to 8 p.m. every Monday until September at NAPA Auto Parts, located on Van Dyke Avenue, north of 21 Mile Road, in Shelby Township. President Ken Savage said it took nine months to find a new location.

It all began in 2005 when Savage’s son worked at Lakeside Mall and a store owner wanted to start a weekly classic car show. He recruited Savage and his son to help, but after a year, he left the group. Savage kept the Cruzers’ motor running.

“When I began, there were just 50 cars. It started going more and more. I have 600 cruise emails now,” said Savage, a Shelby Township resident who owns a Grabber Blue 1970 Ford Mustang convertible.

Fun Time Cruzers posts musical pho-

to slideshows available on YouTube. Every week, Savage — with help from other members including Jerry Benoit, of Chesterfield Township, and Dave Gmerek, of Clinton Township — holds an awards ceremony with local businesses as sponsors. Categories range from “Coolest Cruze 2025” to “Best Original/Restored Cruzer” to “Best Corvette.” At the May 19 event, Madelyn Upleger won “Best Orphan Cruzers” for her 1999 Plymouth Prowler.

“That means they don’t make it anymore,” said Madelyn, who attended the weekly show with husband Dale Upleger.

Dale once owned the Prowler but gave it to Madelyn when he purchased a 2022 Chevrolet Corvette C8.

“She loved it and she didn’t want to sell it,” Dale said. “OK, we’ll keep it.”

“I always wanted a Prowler,” Madelyn said. “We saw them at a car show, and I fell in love with it.”

Both cars garner a lot of attention when on the road.

“I think it’s because of the color,” Dale said. “It draws the eye to it.”

The Rochester Hills couple, who have three children and two grandchildren, have been married 64 years.

For more details about the Fun Time Cruzers, call (586) 260-3459 or check the website at funtimecruzers.com.

There is at least one classic car show

See CAR SHOWS on page 9A

TOP: The Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society Museum will host a classic car show from 9 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of every month through Oct. 18. The event is open to all classic car fans with no fee or preregistration. The museum is located at 16600 Stephens Road in Eastpointe.
Photo by Liz Carnegie
LEFT: Ken Savage is the president of Fun Time Cruzers, which meets every Monday in the parking lot of NAPA Auto Parts in Shelby Township. Every week, he presents awards in different categories.
Photo by Maria Allard

from page 8A

every night in metro Detroit where chrome shines and engines purr. Here is a list of other weekly and monthly car shows that we know of in the C & G Newspapers coverage area.

Mondays

• Jimmy’s Tavern behind the National Coney Island, located on Van Dyke Avenue north of 12 Mile Road, in Warren. It begins at 11 a.m. and it lasts all day.

• Lumberyard Pub and Grub, 26700 Schoenherr Road in Warren, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Tuesdays

• The Ukrainian Cultural Center, 26601 Ryan Road in Warren, from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Cruisers also will spin their wheels at the Ram’s Horn at Garfield and Utica roads from 5-8 p.m.

Wednesdays

• Classic car owners can drive into Sandbaggers Sports Bar and Grill, 25615 Van Dyke Ave. in Center Line, from 5 to 8 p.m. Organizer and Warren resident Paul Gutkowski, owner of a 1968 Mercury Cougar, said the car show brings in anywhere from 25 to 45 car owners each week.

“We just hang out, look at all the other cars and get to know each other,” Gutkowski said.

Gutkowski also runs the Pauly G’s Car Cruis’n Page on Facebook, where he lists various car shows happening in the area. Check the page for more car shows not listed in the C & G Newspapers guide.

Thursdays

• Car enthusiasts will mingle from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Big Boy restaurant located on West Maple Road in Troy.

• Beginning in June, antique automobiles will line the pavement at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, 21201 E. 13 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores, from 5 to 8 p.m.

• The Stahl’s Automotive Collection at 56516 N. Bay Drive in Chesterfield Township will hold cruise nights from 4 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, minus the third Thursday of the month.

• Culver’s, located at 66227 Van Dyke Ave. on the Romeo and Washington Township border, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Fridays

• Weekly car shows at the Walter F. Bruce Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1146, located at 28404 Jefferson Ave. in St Clair Shores, will begin in June. The events will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the back of the facil-

ity, between the building and Lake St. Clair.

• Twisted Axles will meet from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lucky Leprechaun Pub, 32456 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville.

Saturdays

• Gearheads can get an early morning fix from 7 to 10 a.m. at Parking at Pasteiner’s Cruise-In at 33202 Woodward Ave., one block north of 14 Mile Road, in Birmingham.

• The Michigan Military Technical and Historical Society will hold monthly car shows from 9 a.m. until noon on the third Saturday of the month. The museum is located at 16600 Stephens Road in Eastpointe.

Sundays

• Eddie’s Drive-In, 36111 Jefferson Ave. in Harrison Township, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Charity drive

• For more than 30 years, the nonprofit Friends of Mount Clemens has organized the Mount Clemens Cruise in downtown Mount Clemens at the center of Main Street and Market Street. Money raised has provided Kroger gift cards for families in need and helped many charities, including the city of Mount Clemens Santa Parade, Turning Point, the Mount Clemens Lions Club and the Macomb Food Program. This year’s two-day Mount Clemens Cruise is set for June 6-7. This year’s event will feature a car cruise, awards, live entertainment and special attractions. For a complete schedule of events, visit mountclemenscruise.com.

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Photo provided by Paul Gutkowski
Warren resident Paul Gutkowski, owner of a 1968 Mercury Cougar, pictured, invites cruisers from 5 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday to Sandbaggers Sports Bar and Grill, 25615 Van Dyke Ave. in Center Line.

Prayer walk

walked several streets from Rhema International Church, crossed over into Detroit, up to Juliana Avenue in Eastpointe, and returned to the church.

“We want to bring awareness to the violence. We want the violence to stop,” Lloyd said. “Eight Mile and Kelly is the area God has given us, and we want to stop the violence from happening.”

Bishop Daryl Harris, president of Ceasefire Detroit and Detroit Community Clergy Alliance, led the prayer walk. Using a megaphone, he called out several chants, which the crowd echoed, including “No more violence, no more killing, no more shootings, enough is enough. Save our babies, save our children, save our families. We’re walking for peace.”

Local police briefly blocked off Eight Mile and Kelly roads for the walkers to safely cross the streets. Some drivers passing by honked their horns and waved. Several walkers formed circles and held hands as they recited prayers at different stops on the route. A few participants carried signs that read “Jesus loves you, stop the killing.”

“Get five families on your block and just make a pact of peace, love and respect for one another,” Harris said. “Detroit does not have a crime problem. Detroit does not have a violence problem. Detroit has a relationship problem. Teamwork makes the dream work.”

The participants stopped to pray a few times in front of different buildings, including the Foot Locker where the shooting occurred May 3.

“These are not just numbers we’re talking about. People were harmed here just a couple of weeks ago. People lost their lives here just a couple of weeks ago,” Harris said. “Every time violence shows up, we need to show up.”

Eastpointe Fire Chaplain Kevin Lancaster offered blessings while at Foot Locker.

“Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ we come together as your children. We stand on this ground, God, where lives have been taken. We now pray for them, we pray for our cities, God,” Lancaster said. “We come together, God, and pray and turn away from our wicked ways, we pray that you will heal our land. We pray for peace. We pray for our children right now. We pray that they’ll experience you.”

Eastpointe City Councilman Rob Bak-

er weighed in on the issue.

“We need to learn how to resolve issues that we have in ways that don’t include violence. I grew up in a time where people felt they had to be tough, had something to prove. We have to learn how to come together. We have to learn how to talk through things. We have to learn that everything doesn’t have to come to violence,” Baker said. “There is a way we can come to an understanding. Sometimes these problems we have are just simple misunderstandings. We’ve got to teach young people to talk about it. You don’t have to resort to your fists, because you’re not always going to be the toughest one out there.”

State Rep. Kimberly Edwards, D-Eastpointe, also provided remarks and presented Lloyd with a state proclamation in support of his work.

“I’m really grateful for this opportunity to try to figure out how to resolve these issues,” Edwards said. “I appreciate everyone that showed up today in support of Bishop (Lloyd) and the vision that he has for our community. Once again, this is our community, and we are taking our community back.”

Lajoy Morgan, president of the LaSalle College Park Association in Detroit, was among a group whose members carried signs

JUNK REMOVAL

that read “Join us as we reclaim our streets, neighborhoods and community 4820live4peace@gmail.com.”

“We’re coming together to try to make the streets safer and standing up for the things we believe in,” Morgan said. “It’s called accountability. We’ll let our children see it.”

Michelle White, of Moms Demand Action, felt the importance of the prayer walk.

“It raises visibility surrounding the scourge of gun violence,” said White, of Grosse Pointe Park. “It brings the community together so they can form bonds to end violence. It’s a very complex issue. It’s heartbreaking. It’s devastating.

“I think it’s very difficult for a family and community to come back from a death like that, from something so violent. You feel like they were robbed. Over what?” White said. “Why is this happening? Why are we failing our kids?”

Harper Woods Mayor Valerie Kindle and Harper Woods School District Superintendent Steven McGhee also spoke at the walk.

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