Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Greensboro City Councilmember Goldie Wells are inviting everyone in the local community to take time out of their busy day and do something unique on November 21: Stop whatever you’re doing at noon and pause to reflect on the need for peace in the city.
The city leaders stated in a Thursday, Nov. 16 press release that the entire day of Tuesday, Nov. 21 should be a citywide “Day of Prayer or Reflection in response to the increase in homicides and gun violence this calendar year.”
Gun violence has become an increasing problem in Greensboro, High Point and Guilford County in recent years, and city leaders have attempted a number of solutions with only limited success; so perhaps community prayer will help where other methods have not.
“At noon on Tuesday, November 21, the community is asked to pause,” the request from the city reads, “This is an opportunity to pray or reflect on the need for peace and call for an end to the senseless violence plaguing our city.”
The mayor, who recently happened to be on a police ride along the night two women were injured in a shooting at the Electric Tequila bar on Battleground Avenue, has had gun violence on her mind a great deal in recent years and recent months.
“If you are in the checkout line at a grocery store, in your workplace, walking along a trail, sitting in traffic…no matter where you are at 12 p.m., please join this collective act to reflect on the 65 lives lost thus far in Greensboro this year,” Vaughan said.
Wells, who represents City Council District 2, said she’ll observe the Day of Prayer or Reflection at her home church – Wells Memorial Church of God at 1001 E. Washington St. in Greensboro.
The November 16 press release also reminds the public that the motto of the Greensboro Police Department is ‘Partnering to Make Greensboro Safe for All People’ and the release offers this reminder: “If you see something, say something. Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility.”
I pray that my property taxes go down.
HOpe is not a strategy.
I will continue to pray that those who choose to exercise their high tto vote, will vote for better leadership. Or may a prayer for less apathy and an awareness of what is going on in our city and choose to make a change
Gun violence is the same as tire iron violence. It is PEOPLE that have become more violent; and there are a lot of reasons for that, such as the decline of ethics and morality.
So let’s say you have a group of VERY violent and angry Alan’s, I mean people. Should you make guns (or tire irons) exceptionally easy for these angry and violent people to have?
By your reasoning Ash hats we need to restrict access to cars, butter knives, rope, ad infinitum.
Scott, is this an April Fools joke? I only pray these 2 clowns with the rest of east greensboro city council will learn how to budget, eliminate council personal pet projects, and use my tax dollars for police protection instead of defunding police. This city is getting what it deserves.
I pray that we bring back 130 police officers. If the city council would just take responsibility for a self created crisis, that would go along way. Cure violence is an abject failure.
Amen to that peter. Totally agree…
All I can contribute to this discussion is, “Ditto” !
I don`t know whether to pity our mayor or to figure she is that naive. She wants a “pause” for reflection. Where did she get this? Biden? His pause in the middle of a war? And she wants it for crime and gun violence. Pardon me while I shake my head. What about a DAY of reflection for those who were massacred and taken hostage by Hamas terrorists back on Oct. 7? Where has our mayor asked for anything regarding that? Where has she asked for anything regarding the rise in the antisemitism on the university campuses in and around the city? The only one who needs a pause for reflection here is our mayor so that she can figure out what takes priority and what is important, and she could start by asking us, the citizens of Greensboro.
I pray for that every day. I think a lot of us do. I’m not sure I have words for this. I
As a practicing Christian I will honor the good Coucilwoman’s request. Prayer is certainly needed and is a serious tool. I will also pray that those communities experiencing the most violence come to the realization that unsocialized youth have since time immortal posed the greatest threat to societies. I will pray our leaders acknowledge the cure is strong two parent families with strong morals. I will pray those communities abandon the worship of the false idols of the entertainment culture that promotes misogyny, drugs, violence and disrespect. I will pray those perpetrators of violence realize the value of education and hardwork and abandon the false belief that racism holds them back from achievements. Until then Pray for Peace.
I pray that they repair our roads. This city has the worst !
When someone prays, most likely the prayers involve praying to a deity. It may be to the Christian God, to Buddha, or to a Hindu deity. However, the adage, “God helps those who help themselves”, was true yesterday, is true today, and will be true henceforth. Defunding police, soft on crime, elevating victimhood, class conflict promoted by politicians who believe discrimination is a good practice are all self-induced by the very same politicians asking for prayers. Prayer requests are made by those who have no idea how to solve the problems so, therefore, direct attention away from themselves and appeal to pray as the answer.
If someone wants to pray for guidance, pray that voters will become informed and vote to office competent, selfless individuals without a hidden agenda, and a sincere desire to serve people.
Wow what a wonderful idea from the liberal council. I’m sure the thugs and criminals will bow their heads for a moment. A better idea would be for Ms. Johnson to give back the 900k that’s done nothing for Greensboro, give that to POLICE department Get out of their business and let them do their jobs with FULL SUPPORT from the council and community Maybe then we can start to break this cycle of lawlessness. I’ll say it again GIVE back the MONEY that’s been swindled from the TAXPAYERS Ms. Johnson
I pray the city council and mayor wake the heck up and realize the destruction they are responsible for as they defund the police and pay their friends with our tax dollars with no accountability. As I have said in many post Mayor & council have blood on their hands!
Ms. Johnson it looks as if your “cure violence “ failed again. Another black on black shooting victim Saturday morning on Lewis Street. I think that’s 69 this year. When are you going to admit the program is a failure and give the money back to the POLICE department.
Is DGI responsible for that homicide on the street? Like clubs are responsible for parking lots?
News flash…immediately after calling for a Day of Prayer, the GSO council were assaulted by anti-religious zealots, sued by the ACLU, then the chamber floor opened and they were dragged into the bowels of the earth, all for publicly expressing Judaeo-Christian beliefs.