BOSTON — For the first time in two years, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s 26th Annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace was held in person in Boston. It is an important event remembering the lives lost to violence and turning tragedy into community transformation.
Lawrence Stevenson works at the Peace Institute and is also a survivor.
“We’re out here to celebrate the loved ones that we’ve lost walk for peace, out here to uplift community and invest in community power,” he said.
Chaplain Clementina Chery is the CEO & Founder of the Louis D Brown Peace Institute got the crowd of walkers excited to pound the pavement on Mother’s Day morning:
“Good morning, Dorchester!”
A sea of families packed Town Field Park, many in attendance part of a club they never wanted to be in.
“This is bittersweet for all of us. Communities that are impacted, devastated by COVID 19 and still we don’t matter. Yes, I said it, we don’t matter! But we do matter,” said Chaplain Chery.
They came armed with signs of their loved ones lost, walking 7.7 Mother’s Day miles throughout the community, with a Boston Police escort.
Shatasha Mayo walks every year for family friend Danny Hairston, killed by gun violence in 2007.
“This is my 14th year walking in memory of Daniel Warren Hairston,” Mayo said. Taking tragedy from senseless violence, and transforming pain into action.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was also in attendance.
“Community is possible when we build it, peace is possible when we work for it,” Pressley said. “And healing is possible when we invest in it. Let me tell you something, policy is my love language, and the reason why every inequity, every disparity, every racial injustice, the divestment, the under resourcing of our communities, so if we can legislate hurt and harm we can legislate healing, legislate justice, equity!”
Chaplain Chery telling the crowds, “Survivors, call your state senators.”
And inspiration.
Lawrence Stevenson told Boston 25 News, “And turn it into power and action, and that’s what I’ve been able to do here and use this energy to support other families and their journeys.
Stevenson walks for his older brother, whose murder remains unsolved.
“I first think about the moms and the mothers out there. He passed in 2017, and the Peace Institute was here for my family after we lost Randy,” said Stevenson.
The Peace Institute pays for services and other support, including for the family of Sharrice Perkins. She was killed by gun violence back in 2012.
Danielle Bennett also works at the Peace Institute.
“Sharrice is my cousin. She was murdered in 2012, walking. In August, it’ll be 10 years of her passing,” she said.
This event is their biggest fundraiser.
“We’re all the same, providing services, helping with policy change and amending laws. making families feel uplifted.”
The 2021 virtual walk raised more than $500,000.00. This year, organizers are hoping to top that number.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey had a Mother’s Day message:
“To all the mothers we honor and celebrate today. Thank you for being the presence in our lives and communities. I just want to take a moment to express condolences for those we have lost.”
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