Group hosts anti-violence hoop fest

ALBANY — Over the last several weeks, community leaders have worked to break down racial and social boundaries as part of a movement to address the problem of violent crime in Albany.

So far, the cause is 135 organizations strong.

“It’s about changing the mindset,” said Bishop Frederick Williams of Gethsemane Worship Center. “We want to bring the city back to the Good Life City.”

In December 2009, Johnnie Williams, the bishop’s sister, fell victim to an East Albany home invasion that turned deadly.

“That is what prompted us to start this,” Williams explained.

The Stop the Violence movement’s goal is to reach out to the younger population. Currently, those connected to the cause are planning a community “Hoop Fest Extravaganza” set to take place April 15-18 at the Albany State University stadium.

The event is expected to involve food, tents and games for children. More than 50 teams will participate, each of which will have a community sponsor at a cost of $300.

Sponsors alone are a big part of the movement, Williams said.

“We need sponsors,” he said. “We want to make everything free, so the sponsorships are needed.”

Officials are currently looking for roughly 100 volunteers to help coordinate the event.

On April 17, officials are also planning a prayer breakfast to take place from 7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. at Darton College. Bishop Victor Powell of Rhema Word Cathedral and chair of the group’s prayer breakfast committee said roughly 500 people are anticipated to attend.

“We want this prayer breakfast to set the tone for the whole weekend,” he said. “We want this prayer breakfast to cross every barrier in our community.”

The enthusiasm shown for the movement, which has sought to bring the whole city to the table, testifies to its ultimate success, officials say.

“I’m overwhelmed by it; it exceeded my imagination,” Williams said. “It’s citizens taking responsibility for the whole community.”

Demetrius Love, head of publicity and marketing for the movement, said the cause would be successful because of the unique framework behind it.

“We’ve taken the emotional piece out of the movement,” he said. “We’ve put together a framework and a common cause.

“This is definitely going to work. Crime is a dominos effect that impacts the entire city. Everyone has a stake.”

The group has recently launched a Web site. Before gearing up the site’s marketing efforts, more than 140 members had signed on to the movement’s Facebook group page.

“(The Web site) allows us to begin to tailor our communication and (our efforts) effectively,” Love explained. “We are gathering perspectives on crime problems in various areas of the city.”

The group hosted a male summit last month at ASU. Since then, the leaders of the movement have held nine meetings attracting city and county government officials, school representatives, law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations, among others.

“How can we lose with this kind of system?” Williams said at the group’s weekly meeting Tuesday morning. “We are ready to move forward with what we are going to do.”

Children planning to participate in the “Hoop Fest Extravaganza” need to have a birth certificate or a recent report card to verify they live in the Albany area.

Those seeking more information on the movement or upcoming events may call (229) 438-0388 or visit www.takingauthorityonline.com.