When Johnstown held their first ever Peace Walk last spring, there were three homicides that happened in the area already and some local leaders say they felt that violence was on the rise.

“These past couple years we certainly have been having our share of violence issues, including drugs, crime, and guns,” says organizer Reverend Sylvia King.  “This is just an opportunity for us to come together as one community.”

Reverend King and others say a year can really make a difference.  So far this year herself and another organizer of the march find the community to be more peaceful and united, “It kind of brought people together in a way,” says Lynne Banks.  “I think these conversations were happening in people’s homes around their dinner tables and when this awareness event came out, everyone thought, “yeah that’s what we’ve been feeling.”  We really need to take a stand to reclaim our communities.”

They hope to continue the trend with this year’s walk.  The evening will begin at Central Park at 5:30 with a brief ceremony.  At 6 p.m. the walk begins and it ends at Greater Johnstown High School’s Trojan Stadium, where a peace party will be held.

“There will be games and face painting.  We also have dancers.  We have a live puppet show happening.  So there are a variety of things going on once we get to Trojan Stadium,” Reverend King explains.

The peace walk will be held Friday May 6.  Reverend King stresses that like last year this event is not for a particular community, church, or school.  She says it’s something everyone can join and be excited about.

If you would like to attend the event you can park at Trojan Stadium.  Transportation will be provided at 5:15 p.m. to take you to Central Park.  You can also park in the Lincoln Street garage for free after 5 p.m.  At 8:30 that night a bus will take you from Trojan Stadium to the parking garage so that you can pick up your car.