August Town urged to Get Up, Stand Up for peace
THE AUGUST Town Peace Builders group is rallying the community to ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ against divisive criminal elements and bolster the fight for their right to a peaceful existence.
Disappointed but undaunted by the recent flareup of violence in the eastern St Andrew community, the group, headed by Kenneth Wilson, is committed to working tirelessly to reduce conflicts and create a culture of peace.
In fact, Wilson said that efforts will be intensified. “We have launched an initiative called Get Up, Stand Up because we want to let persons know that the gunmen in the community will not change unless we force the change through using our numbers,” he stated.
Wilson is making a fervent call for law-abiding members of the community who want to make a difference to partner with the Peace Builders.
DEFENDING THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN PEACE
“If we can put together all the like-minded persons in August Town on one page when we are going to talk to the youths or to say ‘end the violence’, it will have a greater impact than just a few Peace Builders would,” he said.
“We are building that movement where we get up, stand up and defend our right to live in a peaceful community and defend the God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. None of us must surrender those rights.”
He added, “Not all of us are brave, but during the challenging times, leaders have to act, and leaders have to step out proud and lead. And that’s what we are doing.”
It is this passionate commitment to a cause that has earned the August Town Peace Builders the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Contribution to Nation Building.
One of eight recipients in the category, Wilson describes the honour as “unbelievable”.
“We just didn’t believe that this was possible. When I received the call from the Office of the Prime Minister, I froze for a couple seconds because it’s something that we didn’t expect. We appreciate it,” he exclaimed.
Wilson was joined by members of his team in accepting the honour at the awards ceremony held on the lawns of Jamaica House on April 25.