Maywood Resident Organizes March!!!

According to the Proviso Herald's Chuck Fieldman, a major march against violence took place on Monday. Here's what Fieldman wrote:

Isiah Brandon had quite a bit of help Monday evening when he tried to get his message out in Maywood.

The 20-year-old 2006 Proviso East grad wasn't sure what to expect when he organized Monday's 5:15 p.m. "A Cry to Save Our Youth March" through the streets of Maywood.

But with the Proviso East band leading the way and creating sounds that drew more than 100 people out of their homes to watch along the way, Brandon also had the support of another 100 people who took part in the march. Some of the marchers held up signs denouncing the violence that has plagued Maywood.

"I wanted to have this march to wake up the community and show the criminals out there that we, as a community, will not accept the violence anymore," Brandon said. "I really believe we can get rid of the violence in Maywood. What we're missing is unity. We all need to work together to do this. This (march) is only the beginning."

With four homicides already on the books for the first six months of 2008 and other non-fatal shooting seemingly becoming almost commonplace, it's time for a big change, Brandon said.

"People have gotten to the point where they're used to hearing about shootings in Maywood, and that's very scary," he said.

Cheryl Coleman, 42, has lived in Maywood since she was a young girl. She came out for Monday's march to show support for the youth who live in the village.

"We want to let people know that we're out here for the kids," she said. "The kids need places here they can go for recreational activities, and the parents need to be more involved with their kids."

Right behind the Proviso East band was LaDana Ford, mother of 17-year-old Tawanna Ford, who was shot and killed June 2 at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Ninth Avenue.

The march procession stopped for a few minutes at that corner while some participants stopped for prayer. It was an especially emotional time for LaDana Ford.

"I thought about not coming (to the march), but I came in remembrance of my daughter," Ford said. "I know she'd want me to do this."

The march started at the Maywood Public Library (121 S. Fifth Ave.) and went north on Fifth Avenue to St. Charles Road, west on St. Charles to Ninth Avenue, south on Ninth Avenue to Washington Boulevard, east on Washington Boulevard to Fifth Avenue and then south on Fifth Avenue back to the library.