BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS, Mo. — On Monday some high school students took to the streets in North St. Louis County to rally against crime in their community. They used their voices during a march for peace to promote change in the neighborhoods.
High school senior Daveon Brown created this march for peace after his school resource officer Porsha Owens was gunned down in front of her children.
He said Owens gave him the courage to stand up against violence and after she was killed it made his message even more prevalent.
"It hit a lot of us at Riverview really hard, I couldn't just sit there and not do anything," Brown said. "We as youth we should look forward to our 18th birthdays, our 21st birthdays. We shouldn't have to fear walking out of the house and being mugged or walking down the street in fear of somebody coming up robbing us.”
By taking the lead, he's hoping it will inspire others who may be apprehensive about promoting positive change.
"A lot of youth are afraid of being ridiculed or afraid of basically being bashed about what could happen to them. But enough was enough basically, it was my calling I should say to at least kick-start something that could get the youth moving again,” Brown said.
Parents, firefighters and police all showed up to support and assist along the way. However, Brown said his passion is so strong he would have stood alone if it meant creating a solution to the violence.
"I love support but I feel like what I'm standing for is more important than who's standing behind me. So my message to all youth is to use your voice because even if you feel like you have no say so, your voice still matters," Brown said.
This March for peace is one of many that will take place throughout the metropolitan area.
