Two dozen hearses lead anti-killing parade

DETROIT (AP) -- About two dozen hearses led a motorcade Sunday through Detroit as part of a campaign to call attention to killings in the city. The United Communities of America organized the "Thou Shall Not Kill" motorcade, with a course from downtown through several crime-ridden neighborhoods before ending with a rally at Fellowship Chapel. "God does speak," Pastor Ovella Andreas, an organizer, told the crowd. "And I pray today that those who have ears will hear what He is saying." The Detroit Free Press reported that the funeral home hearses were followed for blocks by cars, trucks and vans. Police cars with their sirens blaring escorted the procession. "This brings awareness--that we need to slow up," 61-year-old Ron Hall, who watched from outside a store, told the newspaper. At least 16 funeral homes said last week that they were participating in the event. In announcing plans for the motorcade, United Communities of America spokesman Thamar Johnson said the hearses are "a powerful visual sign that the killing is taking place and it's real." "The city is hurting and we need to show with this motorcade that we care," Johnson said before the event. Detroit had 344 homicides last year, compared with 308 in 2010. "We want this to stop. We want to have a powerful, visual sign that the killing is taking place and it's real," Johnson said. "It's something we can't deny. We need to change the consciousness of the youth and the next generation in our city. We believe some healing will take place." Elected, auto union and community leaders, as well as families affected by crime in Detroit planned to take part in the motorcade. Published: Tue, Jan 24, 2012