Annual Stop the Violence Event is Saturday in Sikeston

SIKESTON — The annual Stop the Violence event in Sikeston will take place his weekend at Legion Park.

Laurie Mitchell, whose 24-year-old son, Marcus Dixon, was murdered by gun violence on Feb.19, 2019, coordinated and arranged the event, which will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 8.

Mitchell said there would be free food, vendors, live music, face painting, a bounce house and other activities, and that attendees should bring a lawn chair.

Mitchell coordinated and created the inaugural Stop the Violence march in Sikeston in July 2019. Hundreds of people turned out.

Mitchell said that this year’s event would be somewhat distinct from past ones in that it will include a lot of gospel singing. 

“I just want to let everybody know how good God is,” Mitchell said. 

Mitchell went on to say that it was God who helped her get out of her depression when she lost her son. 

“Gun violence is the acts of the devil,” said Mitchell. “So I want everyone to know exactly what God can do in their lives and how good he truly is.”

Mitchell said she decided putting God first would be the greatest thing for the event.

“In order to achieve in everything, we must have God first,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the reason for having gospel singers at the event is because she wants people’s hearts to be impacted by Christ.

“I told the gospel singers that I have coming out (for the event) that I want them to reach souls,” Mitchell said. “I want them to feel the presence of God.”

Gospel singers and features at the event will be Evan and Gloria Wilderness, Evan and Dollette Jones, Pastor Kyle Pernell, Jlamar, Roderick Vashon, First Assembly of God Praise Team, Penny Mitchell, Shania Mitchell, and Loretta Welter.

Mitchell said Shania Mitchell and Welter would be the guest speakers at the event this weekend, and she praised them for being excellent speakers. 

According to Mitchell, Welter is a victim advocate who has seen it all. 

“She helped me through a lot,” Mitchell said. “I want her to come help out and spread awareness of gun violence and the effects.” 

Mitchell’s cousin, Shania Mitchell, lost her son, Shonta Green, the week before Mitchell lost her son. 

Mitchell said that while organizing and preparing for this year’s event, she thought on what inspired her to create the “Stop The Violence” event, and she stressed how she doesn’t want anybody to go through what she and her family experienced. 

“I don’t want anyone else to have to go through this, and if I can help, that’s what I’m going to do,” Mitchell said.

According to Mitchell, the event’s main goal is to raise awareness about the repercussions of gun violence, which affects all sides of the family. 

Mitchell went on to clarify that she isn’t saying don’t have a gun, but that others should be aware of it, as well as cautious and mindful of the consequences. 

“Think about it before you use it,” Mitchell said. “Think about your life; you’re going to be in jail for the rest of your life, and now you have to face the other family.”