Toronto park renamed to honour a Jamaican Canadian

TORONTO:

One year after he died, a park in Toronto has been renamed to honour the late community advocate, Louis March, founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement which was set up with a goal of ending gun violence in Toronto and beyond.

The Sumach-Shuter Parkette in Regent Park, Toronto, was renamed Louis March Park on Sunday.

With squeals of laughter from children on the playground with their parents in the background, Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Chris Moise, Councillor Chris Glover, Mothers for Peace, members of Zero Gun Violence Movement, community advocates and local residents gathered on a Sunday afternoon for the unveiling of the park’s new name. It was exactly one year ago, on July 20, that March, 68, died at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Joan Howard, whose son was killed in December 2003, said that after March died, she and her friend, Evelyn Fox (who was killed in September 2016) contacted his family because they wanted to create a legacy in his name.

Fox thanked members of the community who shared and signed the petition, Councillor Moise, and Sureya Ibrahim, co-founder of Mothers for Peace Regent Park for supporting the renaming of the park.

“It’s overwhelming, but at the same time, I’m loving the fact that Louis’s name is going to be on that sign in a place where people congregate and love one another as a community because that’s what he stood for,” she said, noting that the first time she met him was six months after her son was killed.

SYMBOL OF HOPE, PEACE AND PURPOSE

Mayor Chow said the gathering was in a spirit of remembrance, gratitude and celebration. “From Rexdale to Rosedale, Regent Park, there’s not a corner in this city where Louis March has not touched us. And it’s his movement, the Zero Gun Violence Movement, not a team, not an action plan, it’s a movement of coming together.”

Chow said March wanted everyone to look at the root cause of gun violence and to give young people reasons to not pick up a gun in the first place. These include employment opportunities, good schools and curricula, and a chance for them to grow and be successful.

Moise, the councillor for Toronto Centre which includes the park, said they were gathered to celebrate the life, work and lasting legacy of a remarkable leader.

“Louis was so much more than a community advocate; he was a mentor, a connector, a relentless champion for safer streets, stronger communities and opportunities for our youth right here in Toronto.”

He said March dedicated his life to helping young people in the city of Toronto and believed in meeting people where they are, whether Rexdale, Regent Park, Jane and Finch or Scarborough, Malvern, Lawrence Heights or St. Jamestown, Weston, Mt. Dennis or Parkdale.

Councillor Moise said March focused on solutions to gun violence rooted in prevention, healing and hope. “He helped launch youth mentorship programmes, created job opportunities, partnered with schools and worked with over 40 community organisations across the city of Toronto.”

My father was a passionate man, a man who didn’t just speak about change; he worked for it. Day in and day out, he gave his voice, his heart and his time to make our city a safer place, especially for the young people growing up which is why he created Zero Gun Violence Movement,” said Troy March. Also in attendance were Troy’s mother, Wendie March, and other family members.

Troy said his father believed in the power of conversation, action and compassion. “He believed that with support, mentorship and opportunities young lives could be changed and futures rewritten. Even now, a year after his passing, the mission continues and this park, a space where children can play and families will gather, the communities can come together in a reflection of that spirit, a symbol of hope, peace and purpose just like he was,” he said.

Nearby, some local residents protested describing the decision as “top-down” and disregarding “our community’s voice and unique history.” Moise said residents had opportunities to participate in the process.