The crime fighting effort from Mattie Rhodes responds to a recent murder. I can only hope this kind of thing doesn't become a regular occurance. Here's the presser released this afternoon:
Latino Advocacy Taskforce to Hold Prayer Service in Support of Family of John Paul Garcia
Tomorrow, August 11, 2010 , the Latino Advocacy Taskforce will hold a prayer service in support of the family of John Paul Garcia who was murdered in the early morning hours of Sunday Aug. 8, at the corner of Mercier and Avenida Cesar E Chavez.
John Paul, at 28 years of age, leaves behind his wife Selena, loving family, and many friends.
The Mattie Rhodes Center ’s Latino Advocacy Taskforce (LAT) works to provide support services for victims and families of violent crime in Kansas City ’s Hispanic community. On Saturday, May 29, 2010 , LAT formally launched its efforts in response to continued community violence.
The mission of the Mattie Rhodes Center is to bridge cultures and communities through arts, mental health, and social services. We empower individuals and families through culturally competent, bilingual services in a respectful and compassionate environment.
The prayer service will take place at 8:30 p.m. at the corner of Mercier and Avenida Cesar E Chavez.
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Cool photo
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Tony: Thanks for the info. I, too, hope that this sort of ceremony does not become common in our city--enough people have died in the KCMO violence surge of the past two years. I gather you knew Mr. Garcia--please give my condolences to his family. Sincerely, Respectfully and In Christ, Ernest Evans
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm sure the family will appreciate this gesture, it will have no more impact on preventing crime than Al Brooks' endless candlelight vigils on the east side.
ReplyDeleteAll of these agencies would be much better advised to spend volunteer time and effort in building community cohesion and repsonibility and help the solid residents of these neighborhoods resist criminals and their activities. And that involves working with the police and other authorities.
People in the neighborhoods know what's going on and who's doing what and most would just like to raise their families and be left alone in safety. But once the cycle of violence starts, it's very difficult to put back into the bottle. And vigils after-the-fact aren't going to change that.
Hey but we have to support politicians that do nothing for our community right T?
ReplyDeleteJust another day in Kansas City.
ReplyDeleteSo do I understand that the Mattie Rhodes center is offering a prayer service right after receiving $350,000 in federal taxpayer earmarks?
ReplyDelete$350,000 !!!! They need to have a prayer vigil for the Taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteMy point is to wonder whether a tax funded organization should be conducting religious services.
ReplyDeleteMAN EA$T $IDE IZ THA MURDER PART OF TOWN WOW 1 MURDER 4 THA WEAK HAHA FUK THAT NIGGA ND HIZ FAMILY STRIGHT UP.. HOPE HE GOT SHOT N THA FACE
ReplyDeleteWho Cares ????
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor doesn't care. The City Council doesn't care and KCPD doesn't care.
Have all the candle light prayer vigils you want, 4 Years ago and 3 years from now it will be the same story.
Al Brooks may not do much about the violence, but he sure knows how to follow the money. Wondered why he was there as Mattie Rhodes kicked off its version of Ad Hoc on the west side.
ReplyDeleteTony, if you really have any serious tipsters, you should have them find out how much of the $350K Al is getting and why.
Meanwhile, the Westside Community Action Network Center, which has done a great job in helping to turn the neighborhood around, and is the only place in KCMO where actual community policing is done, has has its tiny budget CUT IN HALF by COMBAT and the city government.
While a handful of insiders make good livings and get dinners in their honor playing the system, the residents continue to get screwed.
11:06 hey...FUCK YOU
ReplyDelete"Latino Advocacy Task Force"
ReplyDeleteLOL
He was a really cool guy, I worked with him on some design projects for his music stuff. Sad to see so much violence in the city.
ReplyDelete"MAN EA$T $IDE IZ THA MURDER PART OF TOWN..."
ReplyDeleteNO kidding. Really? The East Side gang dynamic is changing at pretty impressive rate.
ESL, Suenos, and Latin Kings are stealing on average 3 sq. blocks of territory from the Crips, every single month.
Where was your god on 9-11?
ReplyDelete8/11/10 9:58 AM
ReplyDeleteYour right he was a cool guy.
Unfortunately KCMO is nothing but a city of violence and murder.
Just this past weekend I talked to two families that are leaving.
Maybe after enough people leave and all the Tax money is gone then City Hall and KCPD will listen.
KCPD doesn't know what to do about crime in KCMO.
ReplyDeleteBut they sure know how to ask for more money.
More money. More money. More money.
Like baby chicks crying with their mouths open.
John Paul Garcia was a good, hard working, loving, family man trying his best to make a good living for his family while also following his dream of being a rap star. What a shame his life had to end this way. The vigil may not bring an end to the violence in our city, but it may help his family and friends begin the healing process while remembering the man they now miss so terribly. Whats so hard to understand about that?
ReplyDeletePlease accept my sincere condolences on the death of your loved one.
ReplyDeleteFuk the East Side.. Bunch of Bitchs..ya'll aint shit and believe you will get yours 1 over here is worth 10 over there so cover your faces bitchs before you get shot in yours
ReplyDeleteTo those who choose to leave comments of more violence... WHAT R U DOIN? i dont care if you r east west south... it's pointless. YOU WILL DIE OF YOUR PRIDE. your family will have to bury you and be left in such pain and heart ache.
ReplyDeleteto my community, the west side...
i look at you and see my son... i see you potential you luv but with inner demons you are facing as the youth grows up not sure which road to follow.
to the east... i see the same thing. sad thing is young one is your probably LATINO. probably hanging a mexican flag somewhere in you house but speak of killing your own people. thats is sad.
There will come a day your last breath will be taken. Our young ones die from bullets when they should be living long lives dying from old age.
I pray for all of you from each directions that God comes into your life so you can recieve life not death. The devil is on you youngs something hard.
Remember he wants your soul in the end and God is the one who is truly fighting for you young man.
a spiritual war that is unseen...
get up on it be4 its late....
I am so very sorry for the loss of this young man. My prayers to his family and many friends. May God bless them and guide them. May God comfort them and protect them .
ReplyDeleteAs to the ungracious comments posted we can only feel sorriest for you.
--- Kelly L.