Remembering Joshua

Published 9:58 pm Saturday, March 13, 2010

Politicians, city workers, family members and friends came together to remember the life of Joshua Jackson with a prayer vigil Saturday afternoon.

Jackson, who was gunned down March 1, was a 16-year-old sophomore at Selma High School.

Ward 8 Councilmember Corey Bowie and Ward 6 Councilmember Bennie Tucker put the vigil together to remember the fallen youth as well as spread a message about the need to stop the violence in Selma.

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“This is a social ill,” said Bowie. “It will take a collective effort to nullify black on black crime. In order to do that this has to be a collective effort based on the three P’s: prayer, progressiveness and principals.”

Around 80 people showed up to the event to support the Jackson family and make pledges to work to remove the crime in Selma’s neighborhoods.

“Someone needs to come forward about this crime,” said Tucker to the crowd gathered. “We cannot be scared to come forward to the police.”

Councilman Bowie said that he did not want to allow Jackson’s death to be in vain.

As a result, a scholarship has been formed in Joshua’s name.

“The Joshua Jackson Scholarship will be for any child from Ward 8 that wants to go to college,” said Bowie.