Winnipeg Community Organizations March to Show Unity, See Safer Streets – Winnipeg

About 200 people from multiple organizations supporting some of Winnipeg’s most vulnerable banded together for a march on Saturday. It was a signal that they are willing to work even more together to help those in need while working to reduce crime.

Kevin Walker of Bear Clan Patrol organized the rally in part so groups including Downtown Community Safety Partnership, Mama Bear Clan and Ogihiita Pimatisiwin Kinamatawin (OPK) could better support one another, he said.

“For me it’s been coming for a while, with COVID, you know, all the organizations have been suffering from volunteers,” Walker told Global News on Saturday. “This gives us the opportunity to network with other organizations, to see what they are doing, how we can help them, how they can help us.”

More than five organizations and their volunteers showed up, including Frederick Thomas of the Central Park Foot Patrol.

“It’s been pretty tough during the pandemic,” Thomas said. “In our group there was (were) only three of us who consistently went out and now we’re starting to build up again.”

Thomas hopes Saturday’s march will inspire others to get involved.

“The more people outside are watching and looking to protect the community, I think that will deter some violence.”

This summer, a number of city youths have been accused of serious crimes, including two murders that rocked the Point Douglas neighborhood last week.

More feet and resources on the ground could help mitigate this, said Daniel Hidalgo, founder of CommUNITY 204.

“They don’t have mentorship. They don’t have leadership, but more importantly, they don’t have a positive sense of belonging,” Hidalgo said.

Meanwhile, Walker is optimistic that their strength in numbers will also reassure Winnipegs that they are committed to making the community safer and stronger.

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Bear Clan Food Bank supplies hundreds of Winnipeggers in need every day