Mayor to visit four churches as part of “Cease Fire Sabbath”

Barrett credits MPD, summer jobs initative and faith

community for reduction

in violent crime

Compiled by MCJ Staff

This Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16, ministers, priests, rabbis and imams at churches, synagogues and mosques all over Milwaukee will preach non-violence and peaceful coexistence as part of the annual Cease Fire Sabbath initiative.

The brainchild of Mayor Tom Barrett, Cease Fire Sabbath enlists leaders of the city’s faith based community to preach a common message of peace and non-violence in their weekend services.

“Our joint efforts and message of non-violence are critical in galvanizing the community in the mission to reduce crime; to promote peace and to extend a hand to those whose lives have been affected by violence,” Barrett said.

The Cease Fire Sabbath is held near Mother’s Day every year on Sundays in the city’s houses of worship to reach the one person who has the most influence on the city’s male population: mothers.

“They (mothers) have the most impact on their sons,” the mayor noted. “We also try to hold the Cease Fire Sabbath before summer starts when we see an up tick in violence.”

The mayor plans to visit four places of worship this Sunday: Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Hephatha Lutheran Church, Grace Alliance Hmong Church and Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

In an interview, the mayor credited the Milwaukee Police Department and Chief Edward Flynn, summer youth employment efforts and the Cease Fire Sabbath initiative for the dramatic reduction in crime, especially violent crimes.

This Thursday May 13, the mayor will host the annual Ceasefire Sabbath breakfast at St. Martin de Porres Congregation, 128 W. Burleigh.

The breakfast gives the mayor and faith leaders an opportunity to exchange ideas on how they can strengthen their partnership in addressing violence, especially gun violence.