STORY IN TODAYS PAPER

A concert by hip-hop artists and a speech by the founder of the Guardian Angels are among the activities scheduled at this year’s Stop the Violence, Start the Love rally on Saturday at the Abilene Civic Center.

The event, sponsored by Mission Abilene, began after the May 2008 shooting of Albert Cadena, who was found dead in the 3600 block of Clinton Street.

Chad Mitchell, pastor of Mission Abilene, said he and friend Jeff Hartmankok, an officer with the Abilene Police Department, often discussed the rising tide of violence and the fact that people not directly affected by it often ignored it. They decided it was time to get the Abilene community to take a stand against violence.

The first rally was held in August 2008 at Nelson Park to honor those who have died because of violence and whose who still suffer the repercussions of violence. This year’s event at the civic center begins Saturday at 1 p.m., when the display area opens. The concert begins at 7 p.m., according to Mission Abilene’s website, startthelove.com.

The goals are to create awareness in the city that violence does take place and that it is both law enforcement’s and citizens’ responsibility, Mitchell said. The event also aims to provide a platform for victims of violence and their families to speak up about violence here and across the country.

“So many times we don’t have the place or venue ... to bring people together, and before you can generate positivity of any kind, you have got to bring people together,” Hartmankok said.

Mitchell said at least four of his church members have been affected by violence, with three losing their lives. Also, Abilene is both Mitchell and Hartmankok’s hometown, so to them it’s not a question of “Why Abilene?” but more “Why not?”

“And being a police officer, my background and seeing what I see ... you have got to start somewhere.

And Abilene is a fairly decent size and it has a lot to offer,” Hartmankok said. “So whatever the platform is, in this case, yeah, Abilene is where we are starting and it just grows from here.”

This year’s event will feature speakers, live music, food, local artists, children’s activities and vendors. More than 30 local agencies and community organizations have provided information, education and resources.

A memorial service also will be held to honor victims of violent crime.

“It is a family and fun-filled day, there are a ton of activities and organizations,” Mitchell said.

Proceeds benefit the Regional Crime Victim Crisis Center in Abilene, a nonprofit agency that strives to meet the needs of and provide resources to victims and their families.

Hip-hop artist and choreographer Shonlock — who tours with and choreographs Christian music’s TobyMac — will perform after the memorial service, along with DJ and youth mentor Chris Padot. The event also will feature a speech from Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.

Sliwa created the Guardian Angels in New York City more than 30 years ago to help clean up the crime he was witnessing while working as a night manager at a McDonald’s in the Bronx. He and a dozen others did this by forming a weapons-free patrol to take back the subways, streets and neighborhood while wearing their now-signature red berets.

Mitchell contacted the Dallas chapter of the Guardian Angels, who put him in contact with Sliwa.

“I’m a dreamer ... I believe that one of the greatest tragedies in life is people that don’t act on their dreams,” Mitchell said of getting a famous name like Sliwa to speak.

Hartmankok said that each year has seen more people attending and more organizations wanting to take part. He said word of the campaign has spread to other states, which is how he is able to measure the difference the event is making.

“My goal ... if I could just touch one person, that is the start of the domino,” he said.