The families of young gun murder victims have urged the community to throw its weight behind a Stop the Violence march they have organised.

The relatives of Shaki Crockwell, Jason Lightbourne and Shaundae Jones are fighting to deal with their anguish that no one has been brought to justice over the murders.

Police have blamed reluctance on the part of witnesses to come forward as one of the key difficulties they have faced.

Mr. Jones, 20, was shot dead after leaving Club Malabar in Dockyard in April 2003. Mr. Lightbourne, 18, was shot behind the wheel of a car in Ord Road, Paget, last July.

Mr. Crockwell, 25, was gunned down on the Railway Trail two months ago.

In a bid to stop the senseless violence that is claiming the lives of too many young Bermudians, their grieving families have come together to host the march on Thursday.

Shaundae Jones' mother Marsha said: "I'm positive that a lot of people want to come out and support us. Shaundae attended Bermuda Institute and I want to see if some of the students will come out and march in his memory.

"I want to ask the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and schools. I'm just asking the whole community to come out because this is a community march. It's not political — it's the community coming out and saying 'enough is enough.'

"I'm hoping something positive will come out of this for the young people growing up. I'm hoping members of the community can be more positive towards one another to avoid these type of horrific crimes.

"I'm begging people to please come out and support us. This is our Million Man March."

Mrs. Jones has become a figure of support for other bereaved families since her loss, and ensuing fight for justice for Shaundae.

Shaki Crockwell's father Danny will do a reading at a candlelit vigil after the march, to express the pain he feels over the loss of his only son.

He told The Royal Gazette: "I'm hoping a lot of people will come out. My whole family is marching and the whole Boulevard football team that Shaki played for. I will be giving a speech from my heart about the way I feel."

After meeting at Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Church, King Street, at 6.30 p.m, the march will head along Church Street to City Hall, where the candlelit vigil will be held.