Newhallville Marches for Jobs and Peace

Over 150 people gathered in New Haven's Newhallville on September 23 to march for Jobs for Youth/Jobs for All - End the Violence. After marching, passionate speeches outside the former CT Department of Social Services (DSS) building at 194 Basset St, vacant since June 2013, called for it to be opened for youth and job services.

The march, organized by New Elm City Dream/YCL, New Haven Rising and Ice the Beef Youth came out of a summer neighborhood youth survey. When 14-year old Tyriek B. Keyes a leader of Ice the Beef Youth was killed, the survey was dedicated to him.

Organizer Jahmal Henderson said, "Saturday’s rally was a direct response to that young man’s death, and to what we had been hearing all summer from youth in the neighborhood"

At the 10 am. kickoff behind Lincoln-Bassett School, New Haveners young and old took their posts carrying banners with slogans for equality, justice, hope, jobs, and peace.

Ice The Beef's own"Heartbreakers" quartet sang a beautiful rendition of "Its So Hard To Say Goodbye", followed by remarks from Alderwoman Delphine Clyburn. Several Alders came to show support. State Rep Robyn Porter and State Sen. Gary Winfield spoke at the ending rally.

A diverse coalition of Newhallville residents, labor organizers, student activists, and local politicians marched through the streets, chanting and cheering in support of jobs and safety for the neighborhood’s youth.

The march paused at Newhall and Bassett Sts. for a prayer in memory of Tyriek, led by The Rev. Charles Brewer and Elder Ron Hurt. Keye’s mother, Demethra Telford, assured the crowd that she would fight not just for the memory of her son, but for the protection of all Newhallville children.

“Even when I get justice for my child,” she said. “I’m going to continue to push for stopping the violence. My son’s legacy does live on."

The Newhall/Winchester Communist Party updated the 2011 New Elm City Dream/ YCL Youth Survey which had been launched when there were a record number of homicides in New Haven. Recognizing that lack of jobs and economic security leads to violence, they organized for "Jobs For Youth, Jobs For All". The Board Of Alders adopted good jobs, safe communities, and youth needs as their priorities.