Her son, Anthony Edward Gary-Simmons, was fatally shot mid-afternoon last Thursday in front of the Chicora School for Communications. Students at the elementary magnet school went into lock-down for one-half hour.

The march, principally organized by Metanoia with assistance from many community leaders, had as one of its goals to give the family and neighborhood a chance to mourn and give respect to the 27-year-old who was shot multiple times at the corner of Chicora and Success streets.

According to Metaonia leader, Rev. Bill Stanfield, there were two other goals for the march. “Communicate to the kids that they do not have to be afraid. There are many more people watching out for them. And to send a message to the Charleston area that this is not a neighborhood with a bunch of guns.”

Originally, Metanoia had planned a small event with students from their after school program participating. But, after speaking with Principal Camille Lee, plans were enlarged to involve the entire student body of the school.

Several hundred young people participated—many carrying handmade signs, freshly cut flowers, and other symbols of peace.

There, too, were dozens of adults. One of those was Family Counselor David Geer. He told MPC that these “kids will relate to the positive atmosphere and the support from the rest of the community.”

Principal Lee and her faculty organized the students into groups behind the school before beginning the march. As she was moving from one group to another, she explained that “this is very important to the students. They need to also speak up for peace in the community.”

Among the community leaders attending the event were Neighborhood Council President A. J. Davis, North Charleston Chief of Police Zumwalt, and City Councilmen Michael Brown and Kurt Taylor. Brown told MPC that the march sent  important messages of "bringing security to the kids and the community," as well as stressing "better ways of conflict resolution."

Councilman Taylor agreed. "The march is to reassure the children at Chicora that they are safe and protected. The City of North Charleston and its resources have as its number one priority the protection of children and our neighborhoods."

Earlier this week North Charleston Police Department announced the arrest of the alleged shooter, Joshua Spencer Hamilton. "The Department is doing a great job," said Brown. Taylor added that he knew it would be "only a short amount of time before they apprehended the subject. Our Police Department clears serioius crimes and they do it very quickly and in a professional manner."

Following the march from the school playground to the front of the school, near where the victim was shot, brief remarks were given by several community leaders. "We shall have peace and not violence," Chief Zumwalt told the crowd. "Chicora is symbolic of North Charleston's future. Chicora has to and will succeed! Children in this school will succeed." 

One of the Chicora students then read an essay she had written about the importance of the March.

After speeches, the students joined in singing and dancing to "Something Inside So Strong," by Labi Siffre, led by enthusiastic teachers and young adult youth leaders of Metanoia.

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