By ELIZABETH SUMAN and DAVID DALTON, photos by DAVID DALTON

Late yesterday afternoon, crowds gathered at the corner of 29th Street and Greenmount Avenue for a vigil in honor of slain security guard Charles Bowman. The gathering became as much a rally against violence as a memorial service, as community leaders, law enforcement officials, neighbors and Bowman’s relatives spoke out in response to the recent wave of crime that claimed another local resident’s life.

“This is a proud and strong neighborhood…This is a great community,” said City Council Member Mary Pat Clarke. “We will not tolerate violence on Greenmount Avenue in Waverly.”

Vigil organizer and presiding speaker Reverend Willie E. Ray led the crowd in reciting, “Enough is enough.” His call to action was reinforced by Baltimore Police Department Major Ross Buzzuro, who pledged, “At the end of the day, this case will be solved.”

View the full photo gallery of the vigil below.

Bowman, 72, was gunned down in the Yau Brother’s Chinese restaurant early Thursday morning on his way to work. The gathering was held in front of the restaurant, where flyers were posted to encourage neighborhood residents’ help with the case.

The most powerful speech came from Bowman’s son, Tony English. “I lay down last night, but I did not rest,” said English, who emphasized that preventing violence begins with family inside the home. He then directed his words to his father’s killers.

“God is not going to let you rest,” he said. “May peace be with you.”

The gathering reflected growing concern from community leaders and merchants that the two murders in Waverly last week have further tarnished neighborhood’s spirit and repuation. The speakers at Bowman’s vigil used the opportunity to encourage such public gatherings as a method of responding to violence and its affects on the area.

After speakers had finished, Reverend Ray directed the crowd up Greenmount Avenue and led the procession in “He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands.”

Reverend Willie E. Ray is helping organize the Love Hands Across Baltimore Crusade, an annual event to protest city-wide violence. On June 12th from 12pm-3pm, participants will gather to create a human chain on North Avenue from Hilton to Milton. Anyone interested can contact Reverend Ray to get involved (443) 392-5114.

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