BECOMING ONE

Concerned Residents Gather To Show Support For Walkers

We were slow to act. We're sorry. Please forgive us. We seek justice and
the truth. We are one. God will work even through this tragedy.

These were some of the themes echoed by speakers Monday at a service of
reconciliation at the Columbus Government Center. The vigil came 12 days
after the shooting death of 39-year-old Kenneth B. Walker, a passenger in a
vehicle targeted by officers who believed it was carrying armed men and
illegal drugs. It wasn't, but Walker was fatally shot by a sheriff's deputy
after the vehicle was pulled over on Interstate 185 by members of the Metro
Narcotics Task Force and the sheriff's department.

Organized by white ministers but including black clergy and those of other
faiths, the hour-long service Monday contained prayers, music and about 50
clergy from the community on a platform containing the Georgia flag and
Columbus flag. An estimated 400 people attended.

"This was way past due. I'm elated about what has taken place," Abdul
Hasan, a Muslim, said after the service. "It's better late than never. I
pray to Almighty God that this is a new beginning."

The Rev. Marlon Scott, a Columbus minister, said, "It's good to see such a
show of unity. It's a community concern, and not just one-sided."

The rally, whose theme was "Crying Out Together to Become One," contained
brief remarks and prayers by six Columbus ministers, as well as comments by
William B. Turner, retired chairman of the W.C. Bradley Co.

"I applaud the restraint shown by the black community and the leadership
the black community has had," said Turner, receiving applause. "I firmly
believe the tragedy of Kenneth Walker's death is the beginning of a new era
in our community."

Turner appealed to attendees to think in "we" terms rather than "us versus
them" language. Turner added that prayers should include those for the
deputy. The name of the deputy has not been released.

At a rally a week earlier, the Rev. Wayne Baker of Spirit Filled Ministries
and other black ministers challenged the community and the sheriff's
department to do the right thing in the wake of the shooting.

Showing Support

Seated on the front row next to the podium Monday were Kenneth Walker's
mother, Emily, and his widow, Cheryl. The Rev. Douglas Force of St. Mary's
Road United Methodist Church, the family's pastor, kept his arm around
Emily Walker's chair for most of the rally. Dabbing her eyes, Emily Walker
clasped the hand of her daughter-in-law. Force gave the benediction.

The racially diverse audience included Homer and Joann Wells, members of
Upatoi United Methodist Church.

"I think this is the beginning of a continuing effort," Homer Wells said.
"It's one of the best possible steps forward to say, 'We too are concerned.' "

The Rev. Hal Brady of St. Luke United Methodist Church asked forgiveness on
behalf of whites, criticized for their absence of public outcry after the
shooting.

"We were slow to respond. Please forgive us," Brady said.

A colleague of Brady's in the ministry, the Rev. Howard White of Pierce
Chapel United Methodist Church, said he was hit hard by Walker's death,
although he didn't know Walker.

Fighting back tears, White said there was nothing he could say to the
Walkers to erase the pain, but he wanted to see a more just community
formed from the tragedy.

"There are many of us who share in your grief, who share in your shock,"
White told the Walkers.