ANTI-DRUG MARCHERS WIND UP EVENT WITH BIRTHDAY BASH FOR ALVIN BROOKS

It was a protest against violence, and it was a forum to honor a
tireless worker for the Kansas City community.

The anti-crime community group Move Up's first March Against Crime
and Violence on Saturday doubled as a 70th birthday celebration for
Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks.

More than 100 marchers, and a few on scooters or bikes, made their
way down Troost Avenue from the Move Up office at 33rd Street to
Kauffman Legacy Park near 48th Street.

"The idea is to remember the anti-drug marches from the 1970s and
'80s, when we'd chant and rave and stamp around drug houses to run
off customers," said J.T. Brown, Move Up's president.

To attract more participants, Move Up decided to capitalize on
Brooks' birthday, Brown said.

"To me, he's a mentor, friend and brother," Brown said. "To the
community, he's an icon. When you talk about this community and civil
rights, you're talking about Mr. Brooks."

This won't be Deon Walker's last march, she said.

"We need to do more things that bring people together like this," she
said. "Plus, I'm a big fan of Al Brooks. With the whole Precious Doe
case, he's really put his heart and soul into identifying her."

Ten-year-old Toneisha Blackman, who helped lead the crowd in a "Don't
keep silent, stop the violence" cheer, said she hopes the march will
raise awareness about what's right and wrong.

"People need to not give up hope," she said, waving a homemade "Stop
the Violence" sign. "We need to have faith in everyone. And we need
to learn about peace."

Greg Lever, head of the Westport Merchants Association, said he was
impressed with the diversity of the marchers.

"We're all part of the community; we all have a responsibility," he
said. "Anytime you get so many people together like this, it makes a
statement. ... Hopefully, the end result will be to break the cycles
of violence."

The 15-block procession became an impromptu rally when marchers
stalled at a red light at 41st Street.

"No more drugs, no more crack, we just want our children back," they
shouted. "Extra, extra, read all about it. No more violence, we're
gonna shout it."

Toneisha cleared her throat. She knew she was going to be hoarse the next day.

"I'm going to have to gargle with salt water," she said, grimacing.

Dashawn Fisher, 14, said she hopes the public will listen to the
marchers' message.

"There are so many haters," she said. "People who won't learn until
something bad happens to them."

At the end of the march, the crowd gathered to eat cake and sing
"Happy Birthday to You" to Brooks.

"I'm so glad to see all the young people out here," he said. "They're
an inspiration to us. They're what all of this today is about. ...
Anytime we use our voice for peace and understanding, and we pass
racial and ethnic and economic lines, then there's always something
good that comes from that."

Brooks asked for unity and peace, and for everyone to share in the
American Dream. He offered an additional birthday wish: that on his
80th birthday, he will be celebrating the end of the 10th annual
March Against Crime and Violence.