Nicole June Reporting
njunr@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A prayer rally will be held Thursday, September 4 at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of the Historic Courthouse/County Commission in Clarksville.
Officials have organized the rally in response to recent acts of violence in the community. Six shootings were reported during the month of August alone, four of which were fatal.
The Clarksville Area Ministerial Association, Clarksville Parents of Murdered Children Organization, community leaders, local elected officials, pastors, and the County Mayor will participate in the rally.
“It’s time to pray for our families, community, city and county,” said City Councilwoman Deanna McLaughlin. “It’s time to stand and not be moved.”
The rally was organized by Tommy Vallejos, County Commissioner and Associate Pastor for Faith Outreach Church. After officiating for the funeral of Fran Caratini, who was shot and killed August 15, Vallejos decided it was time to do something about the violence.
“There are too many shootings, too many killings, too much gang violence,” he said. “We have to do more than what we’re doing. We can’t sit around and do nothing. We have to be proactive.”
Vallejos believes local pastors are responsible for making a change. “We can preach the most powerful sermon, but what are you doing? Our ministry is outside the church walls. We have to go to the streets and minister and offer an alternative for these kids,” he said.
Thursday’s prayer rally is open to the public.