Prayer march in north Minneapolis to “make a difference” against gun violence and drug use

MINNEAPOLIS — A group of members of Twin Cities churches walked the streets of north Minneapolis on Sunday spreading a message of hope.

The prayer march was just the beginning of a strategy to combat gun violence and Drug use.

“We all come together today in prayer for our community, against gun violence and the drug scourge,” said Pastor Doris Allison of Proverbs Christian Fellowship Church.

Allison helped organize and lead the group of true believers who turn to God for protection for the neighborhood.

“We've buried a lot of gang members who were killed,” said Dave Halstensgard, who worked on the north side for many years. “We've buried a lot of people who died from fentanyl. I've seen what the youth in this community have been through, and it's time to make a change.”

Two Minneapolis police officers participated in the march, which Allison said was a sign of unity between law enforcement and the faith community.

“They want to go out and pray with us and I think that’s incredibly great,” she said.

The crowd split into smaller groups and covered about 40 blocks in the Folwell neighborhood, an area police say is particularly prone to drugs and violence.

“We're going to walk four Sundays in a row,” Allison said. “I think they're going to get so familiar that we're going to literally be making contact with people on our last walk. You have to have some kind of strategy on this walk.”

Police data from the Folwell neighborhood show that assaults, murders and robberies have increased compared to last year, while car thefts and shootings have decreased.