9th annual Stop the Violence & Mental Illness Rally this Saturday

Local activist Martha Thomas is gearing up for her 9th annual Stop the Violence Rally on Saturday, Apr. 23 beginning at noon at the Vicksburg Pavilion located at 100 Army Navy Drive.

The event will include music, food, raffles and door prizes.  Mayor George Flaggs, Jr., Police Chief Penny Jones, Deputy Fire Chief Derrick Stamps, Judge Angela Carpenter and Dr. Stacy Flowers are scheduled speakers at the rally that will bring their varied expertise to the conversation about how the community can come together to curb the violence.

(via wikimedia)

“It is important to address the mental health aspect,” Thomas said. “A lot of people don’t think about that, so this year’s rally will help shine a light on mental health issues and resources.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 40% of inmates in jail and 37% of prison inmates have a mental health condition.

“We continue to use the criminal justice system to address mental illness not because people with mental illness are more likely to commit a crime, but because we fail to offer an alternative,” NAMI says on their website.

Additionally, those with mental illness are disproportionally victimized by violent crime. Because of these correlations, in order to stamp out crime in Vicksburg we must also take steps to promote mental wellness.

After the rally, the pavilion will host a birthday turn up for Dave Mack featuring Emerson Hill.  Wristbands for the birthday concert are $15 and can be purchased from Martha Thomas via Cash App at $marthathomas1.