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Features
A Few Good Men Needed To Stop Violence
State NAACP Calls For Places Of Worship To Be Vigilant
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Fred Hayes has an idea he thinks will help to end the vio- lence in Tampa. But, he is quick to say, he can’t do it alone.
In fact, he is appealing to mem- bers of the community who share his goal of wanting to lessen, if not end the violence in Tampa. “My main objective is to attract what I call “regular men,” those who have been to prison or who have been in the streets, but are not out there anymore.”
His idea is to gather such indi- viduals and form an organization. The sole purpose of the organiza- tion would be to reach “these boys with the guns. If this works out, then we can at least reduce the killings, if not stop them all to- gether.”
Hayes feels that this segment of the population can relate to the teenagers and young adults who are carrying guns. They can share their stories of having gone to prison, or having lived the life that the young people are living today.
“I want anyone who wants to
FRED HAYES
... Seeks others who want to end violence
help, but I especially want to reach the OGs. These young guys need to understand this is just a season and they (young men) are either going to prison or they are going to get killed if they don’t stop. God has blessed them to get out and these young guys need to hear from them.
“But even before anyone can
reach these young guys, they need to believe that there is a God who created them. They need to learn how to love themselves. Once they have learned to love themselves, then they can love others.”
Hayes said he needs people from all walks of life to join forces to bring about an end to the vio- lence. “I need to stand in the shadows. I need men to stand on the front line. I need mothers who will stand with these men, moth- ers who have lost a loved one and knows about that pain. I need mothers who know their sons are out there.”
Hayes further said he is not looking for accolades, but a way to help end the violence. He wants others who share his idea and who just want to make a positive difference.
He further said, “When you talk to these guys, they want to know where they can find a job. I have a vision where we can create jobs for these young men. It can be done.”
Hayes said anyone wishing to contact him can call (813) 770- 7749.
TALLAHASSEE --- The Florida State Conference (FSC) NAACP released the following statement regarding threats on Places of Worship located in Florida.
In the wake of the heinous, racially-motivated attack on the Emmanuel A. M. E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina, President Adora Nweze is urging all places of worship to be vigilant in reporting to law enforcement any and all threats of violence.
President Nweze met with leaders from the Florida Department of Law Enforce- ment (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Tallahassee late last week.
According to President Nweze, “Both agencies are ac- tively monitoring domestic and foreign terrorist activities; how- ever, agency leaders indicate that the best reporters are indi- viduals who may become aware
of threats through first-hand knowledge or social media.”
Recent reports indicate that Dylann Storm Roof utilized social media as a vehicle to post messages of racial intolerance and intentions to launch a race war including a plan to attack the Emmanuel A.M.E. Church.
To prevent other individuals with similar racial-hatred from carrying-out any attack, the Florida State Conference of the NAACP, in partnership with the FDLE and FBI, is urging indi- viduals and places of worship to monitor social media. Should you identify any threat, please capture that information either by print or photo capture and immediately notify law enforce- ment.
The recent tragedy is an in- dicator that we must not take any threat for granted. There- fore, we urge all Floridians to take action, President Nweze said.
PAGE 2-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015