The Baltimore branch of the NAACP is planning a rally on Saturday to call for an end to what it says has been a rash of violence in the city.
“Twenty-four killings in 24 days ? where is the outrage?,” asked chapter president Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, who is organizing the protest, called “Let?s Stop the Killings and End The Violence Rally.”
Cheatham said a killing on Tuesday outside the Union Baptist Church where the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People meets forced him to act.
“It?s like we?ve become numb to the fact that folks are killed every day ? we?ve become accustomed to it,” he said. “We need to get together and recognize the problem.”
Police spokesman Troy Harris said Friday that there have been 24 homicides so far in 2007. At this time last year, Harris said, there were 28. The latest victim was a John Doe who was shot in East Baltimore on Wednesday, Harris said.
The rally is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Dolphin Street and Druid Hill Avenue outside the Union Baptist Church, the site of Tuesday?s homicide. Cheatham said the rally would coincide with his effort to get 1,000 men involved in the common unity, an ongoing program lead by his organization.
Anthony McCarthy, spokesman for Mayor Sheila Dixon, said that although she will not attend the rally, the mayor is concerned about the murder rate.
“To the mayor, one death is too many deaths,” he said. “She?s working very closely with Police Commissioner [Leonard] Hamm to look at all aspects of reducing violent crime.” McCarthy said the mayor was stressing improving the relationship between the community and the police department.
“The mayor believes the community needs to work in partnership with the police,” he said.
City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she supports the rally but will not attend.
“It?s difficult when you talk about a murder rate,” she said. “For every number, there?s a person with a family ? for those 24 families, it?s hard to tell them we?re doing better,” she said.
