Members of the St. John's AME Church held a March Against Violence last night in an effort to show their support for communities rocked by recent violence.

The Rev. Milton Burgess was unable to talk to The Royal Gazette, however his wife Gloria Burgess said the march was in recognition of violence in the community, "the recent violence in the Hamilton area especially".

"The church has been an unseen, quiet force," she said. "We want to show the community we are there."

Starting at 10 p.m. at the Bailey's Bay Cricket Field, the march finished at the Shelly Bay Field.

"There will be others, but we don't have times or dates yet," said Mrs. Burgess.

And the church is not the only organisation in the community set to march against violence.

The Bermuda College Student Government in partnership with the West Indian Association is taking a stand against violence with a two-pronged, two-day event: "Violence Tears a Community Apart. Turn It Around; It's Time For Healing."

As part of that event, a community march and rally will be staged on Friday, March 28, beginning from the Rural Hill Plaza at approximately 4 p.m. and ending at the Bermuda College Field, where a rally will be held and broadcast live on both stations.

The college is hoping to include as many members of the community as possible.

The rally will feature live entertainment including some of the Island's top DJs who have been challenged to find music with positive, non-violent messages. Also featured will be testimonials and appeals from violence victims and families and former violent offenders.

The "Turn It Around Community Moment" will take place at precisely 5.10 p.m.

A five-member panel for a public forum, facilitated by Trevor Fyfe of the West Indian Association, will also take place on March 31. Panellists include the Minister of Safety, a member of the judiciary, the Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner of Corrections, and the president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Invited guests include the Director of Public Prosecutions and emergency medical technicians.