Selma residents hosted two events over the weekend hoping to eliminate the negative vibes from the city. Both programs sent messages to residents throughout the city.

Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church was packed Sunday with the program Come Pray for Selma’s Violence Awareness Prayer Mass Meeting. Prayers were sent out to the local government, churches, families, community and school system.

Sen. Hank Sanders, Dallas County Probate Judge-elect Jimmy Nunn, Circuit court Judge Collins Pettaway, Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson, Selma City Council President Corey Bowie and council members Miah Jackson, Jannie Thomas, Angela Benjamin and Sam Randolph all were in attendance.

New Hope Apostolic Church Bishop Joe Brown, Fresh Anointing House of Worship co-Pastor Tonya Chestnut, Tabernacle Baptist Church Associate Minister Rev. Colin Lett, Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church pastor Lawrence Wofford, Tabernacle of Praise Bishop Effell Williams and Tabernacle Baptist Church pastor Otis Dion Culliver and Selma Center for non-violence, Truth and Reconciliation director Sister Anika Jackson all gave prayers and reflections.

The area’s two Superintendents, Dr. Avis Williams of Selma City Schools and Hattie Shelton of Dallas County Schools, both said the violence and social media are affecting their students.

“Kids want to impress their friends,” Williams said. “We have an adopt a school program. Our babies need someone to talk to and listen to them. What they see in the community isn’t helping them. Our teachers are afraid to come to work.”

“We’ve got to take ownership of our kids because we’re losing them one by one,” Shelton said. “If we don’t love and take care of our children, we’ll lose them. Social media is the problem. If it happened on a Saturday, you’ll hear about it at school Monday morning.”

The Awakening, also known as a Prep Rally for Jesus, was held on Saturday at the Selma Amphitheatre. Benjamin, councilman John Leashore and event organizer Tamica Shepard all addressed the community, encouraging residents not to give up on the Queen City.

“I’d like to thank Council President Bowie and councilman Randolph for their help, we’ll do this again next year,” Leashore said.

Pettaway, former Selma Mayor Rev. James Perkins and Dallas County Circuit Clerk Lynnethia Robinson were among the crowd with Selma High cheerleaders and football players. The audience braved a hot afternoon and enjoyed the festivities.

“The event was nice and fantastic, everybody in the city came together,” Selma High cheerleader Imani Fuller said.