Reformed gang members-turned-community activists are bringing a message of peace to Prince George’s County youth this weekend.
“Just as actively as we were doing violence and negativity, we have to be just as active in the efforts for peace,” said Jamal Spratley, vice president and director of the Circle of HOPE.
On Friday, the group, which is headed by reformed gang members, will sponsor a Stop the Violence town hall discussion at 7 p.m. at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington.
The panel will include Sheriff Michael Jackson, County Council Member Tony Knotts, Assistant Police Chief Roberto Hylton, County Executive Jack Johnson’s Chief of Staff Michael Herman and representatives from the religious community and Circle of HOPE, Spratley said.
“We are going to create a dialogue to see what’s going on and what we need to be doing as far as a solution,” Spratley said.
From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, the group and the county will host the first Prince George’s Community Peace Festival at the Iverson Mall parking lot in Hillcrest Heights. The event will feature music, vendors, activities and speeches from public officials and religious leaders.
According to Spratley, the impetus for the peace weekend came from discussions among his group,Johnson and Hylton. Circle of HOPE leaders, including Spratley, were members of the Oxon Hill-based Birchwood City crew or the Fort Washington-based Shadow High crew that battled each other, Spratley said.
In 2004, the groups reached a “peace treaty,” Spratley said, and eventually the Circle of HOPE developed. The group is now seeking nonprofit status.
Spratley said the group targets 14- to 25-year-olds and will offer mentoring, mediation, conflict resolution and help with economic development. Circle of HOPE is currently running a small-scale summer program.
