Community leaders and members invite public to 'Love All Hate None Revival'

CARENCRO, La. (KLFY)-- Community members and leaders are asking the public to join the Carencro community for the “Love All Hate None Revival” happening March 9 and 10. 

“It was so crazy because this kid was coming off the bus to go home," Terrance St. Julien, a community activist, said as he reflected on what his young daughter told him about the death of Jaylin Joiner, 18. "He’s 18 years old. In my mind, he’s still a baby. He hasn't even seen life yet and his life got cut off."

He said with the event coming up it is very important to get the community involved. 

“It's easy to sit down and go, 'Oh my God, another shooting? What are we going to do? Oh, my God another shooting', and then if not, all you're doing is you go on social media talking about it. We’re in our houses, talking about it on the phone but what are we going to do about it?” St. Julien said.

He said there is a mixture of ministers, pastors, community leaders, community activists, state representatives and school board members. The mayor and the chief of police are all on board. 

“That's powerful and when the kids see that kind of stuff and realize that people love them and care about them, it can help change some of the minds,” St. Julien said. “We know we can't get everybody but if you change three or four or five, then you've done what you're supposed to do.” 

“I was raised right here in the Markridge subdivision," Joshua Edmond, the Lafayette Parish School Board Member of District 3, said. "It means a lot to me to see Mark Ridge heal and get all the unified people together to bring healing to this community.” 

St. Julien said stopping violence starts at home with the parents. 

“You may be preventing the next school shooting," St. Julien said. "You may be preventing somebody from getting hurt on anything or driving by or whatever because they're texting each other. They're doing whatever they’re getting on social media doing it. Grab your kid's phone and check it. You pay the bill and even if you don't, they’re in your house, you check it. You can not let these kids just run and do what they want to do. We have to work together, and it starts with the parents first.”

He continued, “All the fathers, be your kid's life, if you do not start, it is never too late. Start because they need that guidance.” 

St. Julien said no matter what religion you have that might stop you from coming to the event the common goal is to save the youth. 

“I'm tired of preaching a funeral and there’s a 16-year-old in the casket," St. Julien said. "I'm tired of preaching a funeral and there’s a 20-year-old in the casket. It done got to the point where when you go to a funeral, you used to see somebody, his grandmother, uncle, aunt. Now you see somebody’s grandson or great-grandchild. It’s sad. We don't want to see this happen again. This is the whole purpose of this coming together. You know how powerful it is if a kid doesn't get a hug to get a hug from someone who says, I love you, you can make it, you can succeed, you're going to do well. I'm proud of you. Those simple words can change a lot.” 

He credited Lawrence Levy who said, “even if you're not one of the officials, you still come in and be a part. You can walk or you can ride, put a poster with scripture writing or something positive on the side of your car if you don't want to walk you can ride. Everybody is welcome. Everybody's coming together to save our youth in the community.”

“We've got to keep the family of the deceased in our prayers and also the ones who did the crime as well. Keep them in your prayers as well, because right now, there’s two families mourning. So we want to keep those families lifted in prayer but at the same time, we've got to make sure that we put those guns down. We've got to find alternative programs. We've got to find different solutions for these kids to put the guns down and that way, we can have productive citizens in our community and this neighborhood can get back to where it used to be."

Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet released a statement Wednesday saying “I am deeply saddened and troubled by the tragic shooting of Jaylon Joiner. This senseless act of violence has shaken our community to its core, and my heart goes out to Jaylon, his family, his friends, and all those affected by this devastating incident. I want to assure the residents of Carencro that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to investigate the crime. The safety and well-being of our residents, especially our youth, are of utmost importance. Once again, my deepest condolences go out to Jaylon and his loved ones."

Saturday, March 9, at 3 p.m. is the march starting at Mark Ridge Subdivision. Line-up begins at 2:15 p.m., on Sunday, March 10 is the revival. 

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