ST JAMES, Jamaica — Central St James Member of Parliament Heroy Clarke in a release today called on all warring factions in western Jamaica to remove their guns from their ‘pockets and waists’ and replace them with Bibles.

His call comes as the world celebrates the UN International Day of Peace.

“The leadership in the communities in western Jamaica, public and private must take up the mantle and step up to the plate and lead from the front not behind,” Clarke said in a release.

He suggested that the social intervention approach to the youth at risk must be revisited for a far greater medium to long term effect.

The member of Parliament said that he has noted a new revolutionary approach by the Fight for Peace group (MOU signed with Ministry of National Security (MNS) recently) and he is encouraging other violence interruption strategies to incorporate their tested approach to ensure the deliverables of such programmes have the desired impact.

Clarke said he looks forward to the new clergy protocol from the Ministry of National security to bring in guns and other contraband. However, he noted that neither the police nor Security Minister Robert Montague can reduce the murder rate by themselves, as they need the full support of all communities across Jamaica.

“I am calling on all communities to encourage the wrong doers to be more law abiding so that peace will reign in Jamaica,” he ended.

The international Day of Peace is observed worldwide on September 21. The United Nations General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The theme for 2016 is ‘The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace’.