MARCHERS PROTEST DRUGS, CRIME

Church, Civic Groups Chant 'Up With Hope, Down With Dope'

As scores of Jacksonville marchers were about to take to the streets
in protest against drugs and violence, the rain began.

As the sprinkles turned into a shower about 6 p.m., the group of
various church and civic organization members began to shout and yell.

"We ain't gonna let the rain stop us, amen?" asked the Rev. Quovadis
Thomas into a megaphone.

"Amen," the crowd responded.

Ten minutes later, when it looked like the rain was letting up, the
marchers started their journey on the Northside from 45th Street and
Moncrief Road to the Moncrief Missionary Baptist Church on 22nd Street
and Myrtle Avenue.

But instead of the rain subsiding, it increased and poured upon the
almost 200 marchers during the mile-and-a-half trek. They shouted and
chanted the whole time, saying "Up with hope, down with dope" in
between "hallelujah" and "thank you, God."

The Moncrief Missionary Baptist Church sponsors the march each year as
part of its drug outreach ministry, but this year the church was
helped by at least a half-dozen other entities who support the message
of turning away from drugs and crime toward a life with Jesus Christ.
Hearses carrying empty caskets supported the marchers' message of
bringing children to church to avoid burying them at a cemetery.

The green and black shirt that Donald Foy, president of the
Jacksonville chapter of MAD DADS, wore was soaked within minutes. He
said the march had to go on, despite the rain.

"The crack dealer doesn't let the rain stop him from dealing. The dope
addict doesn't let the rain stop him from getting out there and
hustling for money to get drugs. So we as Christians should not let a
little rain stop us from getting out and saying we are going to take a
stand against drugs, violence and crime in our community," he said.

Foy said the foul weather helped marchers send an even stronger
message to people in the community who are involved in illegal activities.

"We 're so tired of it we'll get out and walk in a rainstorm for it,"
he said.

Egbert Davis walked with a group from Teen Challenge International
Ministry, a faith-based drug recovery program for youth. He said he
remembers when he was running the streets and experimenting with drugs
and is now passionate about helping others turn away from that life.

"When I am out here, I just feel that energy, especially with other
folks," he said.

While the group walked southbound on Moncrief, business owners and
residents stood in doorways and waved. Drivers headed northbound
tooted their horns in support. Dozens of police officers helped with
traffic control, while Zone Assistant Chief Jimmy Holderfield and
Patrol West Division Chief David Sembach participated in the march.

"If they can walk out here for what they believe in, it's our duty to
stand shoulder to shoulder with them in support of them," Sembach said.

At one point in the march, the group stopped at a different kind of
'church' than its final destination. When lightning became a concern,
the group gathered at the Church's chicken restaurant at the 32nd
Street intersection and waited a few minutes for the strikes to subside.

When marchers arrived at the real church, Thomas led the group in a
rally full of praise and thanks.

"We've got the victory. Somebody shout 'glory,' " he
yelled.

"Glory!" the crowd responded.