August 11th will mark the 2nd anniversary of the shooting death of twenty-one year old Ebony Clarke. Ebony was in the wrong place at the wrong time as a fight broke out and a gun was drawn and shot.

She left behind a 4 month old son Ty, who is now 2, and her mother, Barbara Williford, who is determined to bring awareness to the community about the damage that drugs and violence do to us all.

The 2nd Annual Say No To Drugs and Gang Activity March and Program will be held on August 11th. The march will begin in front of the Bainbridge Housing Authority Office on Sims Street at 4:00 pm. From there they will proceed up Broughton Street to Willis Park where the program is expected to begin at approximately 4:30 pm.

Ms. Williford is asking everyone in the community to attend and show their support for taking back our community. Several speakers, community leaders and various law enforcement agencies will speak to our ongoing problems that, as with many communities, put public safety in jeopardy everyday.

While there have been several tries by various organizations in the community to bring awareness to the problems of drugs and gangs, it is still all too convenient to ignore the issues. Many believe it is a law enforcement issue and that they are unaffected by these activities. That is a wrong conclusion.

Barbara Williford with grandson Ty at last years' event.
Gangs and drugs effect everyone in the community in one way or another. Both are often related to intimidation, burglary, robbery, assault and murder. You don't have to live in a specific area to be affected.

Our school children are faced on a daily basis with those trying to recruit them into gangs or drug use. The problem hits area businesses economically with stolen merchandise, property and business closure. Our law enforcement officers have to work overtime to investigate the crimes thus taking money from other projects.

So, while many go about their daily business with blinders on thinking it isn't their problem, their ignorance is allowing our community to be controlled by those that should have no control at all and that is just what Ms. Williford wants changed.

"Ebony didn't leave behind just a mother and two brothers, she left a son. He was only four months old at the time of his mother's death."  He has now been adopted by Ms Williford. If I can help just one child or parent," Ms Williford said, "then Ebony's death would not have been for nothing."

It takes time, passion and a commitment to change. It is not something that one person can do alone. At a time when the nation is concerned about the effect that our actions have on the future of our children and grandchildren in regards to the environment and economy, we seem to have forgotten about the issues that we can do something about as a community.

Take Back Our community From Drugs and Gangs on August 11th should be noted as the day the community came together to make a statement to area gangs and drug dealers and addicts that this is our community.

If you, your group or organization would like to participate in the program at Willis Park, you may contact Barbara Williford at 229-515-0881 or 229-4162263.  Please plan to join the 4 pm march with and for our community.