Ceasefire brings sense of unity for residents

Weekend’s events range from dance instruction to quilt workshop

Organizers of Baltimore’s third Ceasefire weekend spent much of Saturday looking back at recent violence, and forward to the potential for better days.

Specifically, they hoped Sunday would arrive without anyone being killed on the city’s streets.

The goal for Ceasefire, a movement advocating for a break in the pace of Baltimore homicides, remained the same as in two previous campaigns last year: A 72-hour stretch without death.

This weekend’s Ceasefire has included music, rallies, discussions and memorials to the dead. Organizers listed nearly 20 events for Saturday alone and say their message is penetrating deeper into the community.

Last year, there were 341 homicides in Baltimore, the highest per-capita rate on record. The rising violence alarmed officials and spurred organizer Erricka Bridgeford to call for the first Ceasefire.

At a senior center in Gwynn Oak on Saturday afternoon, dance teacher Milton Kent led a class on urban ballroom dance.

Ceasefire organizer Letrice Gant was on hand, and watched as Kent glided around the floor.

“It’s been beautiful watching the community show up and show out for each other,” Gant said of the citywide schedule of events. “That’s the spirit of Ceasefire.”

Lucy Moran, another dance instructor, said that she wanted to use the session to showcase the urban ballroom style as a lesser-known product of the city’s black community.

Earlier in the day, events included a peace walk, youth activities and a remembrance ceremony. In North Baltimore’s Wyndhurst neighborhood, artist Barbara Treasure had set up banners and prayer flags visible to traffic passing along Charles Street to promote the campaign.

“Everyone is connected to the trauma and pain of homicides in Baltimore,” she said. The Ceasefire events, she said, empower residents to provide “strength and heal the city from the grassroots up.”

City police spokesman T.J. Smith said the department is grateful for grassroots efforts such as Ceasefire.

“It’s been made clear from the government and the community that it takes all of us to stop the violence,” he said. “The efforts of the Ceasefire group are greatly appreciated.”

More events are listed for today on the organization’s website, baltimoreceasefire.com, including a quilt workshop to remember those lost to violence, and the forming of a human chain at 2 p.m. at Edmondson Avenue and Hilton Parkway.