Event: “Guns Down, Minds Up.”
When: Thursday, Aug. 27th, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Doverdale Park, Salisbury, Md.
“Guns Down, Minds Up.” That is the name of the back to school rally happening at Doverdale Park in Salisbury, Md., Thursday, Aug. 27 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
“With all that has happened in our community over the last few months, this will be a good opportunity,” JerMicahel Mitchell, event organizer said.
Mitchell belongs to the Extraordinary League of Gentlemen, a non-profit organization that focuses on the enhancement of mankind through social and civic contributions. The program was created to improve the lives of people living on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. The group’s motto is “Where ordinary men and women do the extraordinary! Be Extraordinary!”
The group has asked educators to come together for a pannel discussion at the event where kids and parents can ask any questions they may have regarding the upcoming school year.
“If they need to vent with all that is happening in our community, this is a way for them to do it,” Mitchell said.
After the discussion, there will be a music concert featuring local hip-hop artists that have positive messages in their rhymes.
On Aug. 2, local Salisbury teen, Rakim Russell, was fatally shot at a nearby Salisbury hotel. Russell had a passion for music and Mitchell says this tragedy is one of the events that prompted the rally.
The organizers will also be giving out school supplies as well as shirts, shoes, cleats and hoodies from their sponsor, Under Armour.
“We just really want to inspire the kids to have a good school year,” Mitchell said. “This is a great opportunity to give back to the community.”
Earlier in August, the organization distributed 1,200 book bags to students in need.
Mitchell has used his position in the school systems and as a coach to extend this invite to several local schools. The group is hoping to see Wicomico High School, Wicomico Middle School, North Salisbury, East Salisbury, Beaver Run Elementary, along with many other schools.
“We’ve been losing a lot of young kids in the city to gun violence,” Mitchell said. “This has been happening since I was a kid and it needs to stop.”
