PERTH AMBOY – “Violence is a dreadful disease that continues to kill and destroy our youth, families and neighborhoods.  Caring leaders in communities must bring attention to unacceptable violent behavior no matter who is committing the violence,” said Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., founder of Stop The Funeral Weekend.Focusing on preventing violence, senseless killings and injustice in communities,  Joshua DuBois, former head of the Office of Faith Based Neighborhood Partnerships, Executive Office of President Barack Obama joins Bishop Hilliard in this crusade of awareness of how violence creates far too many funerals of our youth.  32 years as Senior Pastor at Cathedral International, Bishop Hilliard recalls the early days of pastoring when he ended a vacation early to bury a 24 year old man from Perth Amboy. 4 months ago, this year, he buried Richard Pryce, a 27 year old, killed also in a senseless manner.  Families of both of these young men shared their stories. There was a vigil held on 6/18/15 in remembrance of the murder victims in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, SC.

*Photos by Eric Salvary