Residents hit the streets to fight back against crime in Raleigh neighborhood
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Nearly 100 members of a southeast Raleigh community took to the streets Monday evening to stand up against the crime and violence plaguing their neighborhood.
The event was the first step in an effort to carry on the legacy of an up-and-coming community activist who was murdered before fully realizing his vision.
"United we stand, divided we crumble," they chanted outside Missionary Baptist Church on East Davie Street.
They stood united on the same sidewalks where drugs, prostitution, and gangs are all commonplace. They stood hand in hand, blacks and whites, to say, enough is enough.
"The community is tired. They're ready for a change, and we want to steer them in the right direction," said event organizer Diana Powell.
It was the murder of 23-year-old James Alston that sparked the stand on Davie Street. Alston was shot and killed not far from the area earlier this month.
Alston was a father of three and also a former gang member. By all accounts, he was turning his life around as an advocate for a safer southeast Raleigh.
Pat Dixon heard Alston's story, about his life and murder, and walked to the vigil from a community gardening class to stand in unity.
"I am for giving young people opportunities; the opportunity to garden, to have a job. So that a gang is not an option for them," Dixon said.
"People can say they want to make a change. People say they can stand for change, but until they come out and stand in 110 degree weather for something, that's when we know their hearts are in it for the right reasons," said event participant Keith Willis.
Powell's voice went hoarse preaching a message of self-reliance and a path away from drugs and gangs. She wondered aloud about what her mentee, Alston, would've thought had he lived to see it.
"I know he would be so proud and so happy," Powell said. "He would say, 'This is the dream.'"
Powell pledged to continue similar events bolstered by the outcry over Alston's murder.
As far as the murder investigation, Raleigh homicide detectives have questioned potential suspects. However, there have been no arrests so far.
Raleigh police wants anyone with information to call Raleigh CrimeStoppers at (919) 834-HELP.
