Prayer vigil honours North Preston men

Families of young North Preston men killed recently came together Friday evening to remember loved ones and to pray for peace.

They gathered atSaint Thomas United Baptist Church in North Preston.

"We have a fear of who may be killed next,"said Reverend Wallace Smith, the church's pastor and organizer of theprayer vigil.

"We don't want them walking around in fear. We want them walking around with their heads up and not looking over their shoulders."

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'This is what we need'

It was an evening of prayer for any family that has been devastated by violence. In recent months alone, four young men in the Halifax area have been killed.

The community honoured their loved ones, primarily young black men,with photo collages, the lighting of candles, and through the prayers of a community of Christians united together.

A memorial for victims of violence wasset up at the cenotaph outside the North Preston Community Centre.

"We've been going through a lot and this is what we need,"said Viola Cain, who has lived in North Preston her entire life.

"It's going to bring a relief that they know their family is standing behind them and we're here to support them."

'Stick together'

Families were prayingfor comfort, healing and an end to funerals of young men who've died because of senseless, violent acts, Cain said.

"We are a good community and we just want it to stop,"she said.

"We need to show support and stick together."

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