Church leaders and peace advocates yesterday continued their anti-violence campaign by going into four more of Kingston’s gritty communities and meeting with the leaders who all pledged support for the programme.

Head of the National Transformation Programme (NTP), Pastor Al Miller, along with members of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI) took the ‘Fresh Start Jamaica’ campaign to Woodford Park, Allman Town, Southside, Tel Aviv, Gold Street and Rockfort.

The NTP and PMI officials started the campaign for a crime-free January on Saturday, visiting Jungle 12, Goldsmith Villa and African Gardens in August Town; Nannyville and Back Bush in Mountain View; and Burgher Gully in East Kingston where leaders in each community signalled their intention to bring an end to crime and violence.

Similar support was voiced by the leaders in Whitfield Town, Trench Town and Jones Town on Sunday.

At Whitfield Town, some leaders who openly committed to maintaining peace said some of their counterparts in other sections of the community “have them heart inna di ting”.

“Mek we hold it for a few months to see if we can get some butter pon we rice,” one said.

However, like their counterparts in other communities, the leaders said if the men are to refrain from violence, employment must be generated for the many youths in the community who have a skill.

“If more work inna de place that will help the violence because no one no want mash up de ting,” one said.

He said time is hard, and with no employment the youths are frustrated.

In Trench Town, one leader said they are now planning a monthly talent show dubbed ‘Marley Marley’ to strengthen unity among themselves and neighbouring communities.

“Me feel say is the Father send you come ya now,” he told Miller. “Anything me haffi resort to, me a go do it because the thing (violence) haffi stop because with a man like you involve in it we can’t let you down.”