Annual 'Unity and the Community March and Rally' to Also Honor Charleston Victims

Mount Vernon’s Unity Baptist Tabernacle church will hold its annual Unity and the Community March and Rally on Saturday, June 27, and in addition to gathering in support of Mount Vernon, the event also will honors the victims of Charleston church killings tragedy.

A rally will begin at City Hall at 10:00 a.m. with a host of speakers addressing issues of education, community development and the Stop the Violence campaign, in addition to honoring the victims of the killings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.

“This is a public expression of our support for the victims, their families and church members of the horrific mass killings in Charleston, South Carolina last week,” said Westchester Legislator Lyndon Williams, who has been instrumental in helping to organize these events in the past, in a statement. “We must stand together against hatred and bigotry in all forms.”

He added, “We are marching for Mount Vernon and Charleston, S.C. This is an opportunity for us to come together in a public way to face up to our problems and find solutions. “There are challenges that need to be addressed. As a community, we should deal with challenges so that we make Mount Vernon better for the future.”

Unity and the Community is a well-organized, well-attended annual event, which focuses on social justice, economic empowerment, and community service. Each year, the event seeks to raise consciousness about an issue, which impacts the community, and rally support around positive solutions to solve the problem.

This year’s march and rally is also in support of the nine victims and their families of the horrific, racially motivated shootings allegedly by Dylann Roof, a 21 year old white male, as they attended bible study.

As in the past, this year’s event will include clergy, community leaders, elected officials and residents in a grand “March For Mount Vernon.” The year’s call-to-action will focus on solving the problems surrounding high crime rate and violence, quality of life issues, Memorial Field, Fourth Street Park and building community pride.

Following the rally at City Hall, attendees will then march through the streets of Mount Vernon to Unity Baptist Tabernacle, 101 South Second Ave., where a Block Party will take place. The Block Party is an annual event of Unity Baptist Tabernacle, along with other clergy and elected officials.

“The purpose of Unity and the Community Day is to bring everyone together for the betterment of Mount Vernon,” said Rev. Edward Mulraine, pastor of Unity Baptist Tabernacle and founder of Unity and the Community Day. “We want every business owner, community organization, civic leader and clergy member to join one another in support of Mount Vernon. On this day we recognize the best of Mount Vernon.”

The pastor also called for the removal of the confederate flag from all state buildings in South Carolina and for Congress to enact sensible gun laws that prevent persons such as this young man from easy access to guns.

Honorees for the day include: Henry Wilson of Y-COP, The Mount Vernon Fire Department, Family Ties, Rev. Hugh Farris - Pastor, Bowen Memorial Baptist Church and Heather Mumphrey - Director All-Star Cheerleaders. In addition to the honorees there will be voter registration, a job fair, entertainment including comedians and choirs, children’s games, food, a host of vendors and community information. All are invited to attend the march and the block party.

If you are interested in vending, or further information, contact Unity Baptist Tabernacle at 914-664-1097.