Call for Community Action After Southpoint Shootings

Concerned about the violence that happens during the holiday season a Durham activist is calling for action, not from the police and politicians but from the community.

Durham minister and activist Paul Scott, founder of the Black Messiah Movement is asking that men in the community deputize themselves to keep a watchful eye on women, children and elders as they are out shopping this holiday season.

“This is not our first rodeo, ‘’ says Scott. “Durham goes through this every year around this time.”

Although, the attention is being given to the tragedy at Southpoint Mall yesterday, Scott says that violent acts are occurring all over Durham where people are afraid to go outside, even in broad daylight.

“People are taking Southpoint seriously because it is in a more upscale area, but gunshots ring through other less affluent sections of Durham, every night, ‘’ he says. “The politicians and police can’t solve this problem, it is up to us. While politicians are fighting over whether we need more police or less police , the residents are suffering.

The activist also says that city officials have been unwilling or unable to get to the root causes of the problem.

“Many of the children that are doing the shootings are the grandchildren of the victims of a failed urban renewal project of the 60’s that created neglected communities, “ he says. “So, the violence in Durham is a case of the chickens coming home to roost.

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