Violence spurs mock funeral, concert, renewed attention on drug problem

After a 16-year-old Macon boy was gunned down on his way to school last week, community activists are hoping to curb violence.

The Citizen Committee of Courage is hosting a mock funeral Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon at Gateway Park at 301 Riverside Drive.

“The recent violence of random shootings in our city should be very concerning to everyone, so they are having this ceremony to address it,” Bob Fickling stated in an email to The Telegraph.

Jayvon Sherman was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest outside the old Winship Elementary School on Beech Avenue just before 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

The Central High School student was remembered in a vigil Sunday night, where Coroner Leon Jones encouraged people to take to the streets to protest violence.

At the mock funeral, representatives of all corners of Macon will talk about violence, hate and peace.

Participants will be asked to write their concerns on cards that will be buried before balloons are released to end the ceremony.

Later in the afternoon at Gateway Park, the Rhythm N Jazz Foundation will present a Re-Past free concert against violence.

Local musicians include Drew Smith, Dean Brown & Band, US 2, Shana Hargrove and Antonio Long.

Tuesday evening, the Mentors Project will hold its 2017 Drug Awareness Program at Miller Middle School.

“In light of the recent violence, it is very important for students, parents and the community to be equipped with information that can save lives,” O’Neal said in a statement.

Organizer June O’Neal is inviting the whole community to come to learn about ways to tackle drug issues that often lead to violence.

“There’s so much correlation between gun violence and drug abuse,” she said.

The program begins at 5:30 p.m. at the school at 751 Hendley St.

This story was originally published October 23, 2017 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Violence spurs mock funeral, concert, renewed attention on drug problem."