We Want to Live! STOP NOW! LIVE NOW!

FAITH IN ACTION ALABAMA, Mobile Hub

Pastor Marvin Charles Lue, Jr., Community Organizer

As Faith in Action Alabama, Mobile Hub continues the movement toward dismantling

systemic racism to create pathways of opportunity for all Alabamians, and we continue

to focus on decreasing gun violence in the Port City.

This initiative evolved from our night walks that began about three years ago. The night

walks would occur one to two times per monthin targeted neighborhoods. Our primary focus

was to let the community know that we stood with them in the fight against gun violence,

along with the notion that someone cared.

As we journeyed through 2021, gun violence seemed to escalate in the Port City daily.

It seemed to be the topic at the start of each newscast. Therefore, Faith in Action Alabama

Mobile Hub began to strategize how to combat this violence spreading throughout the city. It

was no longer an activity that occurred at night, but now the shootings took place

in broad daylight.

In the beginning, we connected with the founder of Advance Peace, a successful initiative that began in Stockton, California. Advance Peace was instrumental in significantly decreasing the gang and gun violence in Stockton. Many cities have adopted this initiative throughout the United States. Although Advance Peace has a successful track record, the City of Mobile is interested in a tailored initiative to decrease gun violence in the Port City.

With that in mind, the Stop Now! Live Now! initiative was developed. “STOP NOW!

LIVE NOW!” is a plan with a purpose for peace and progress from the mind and

spirit of a committed, concerned, and compassionate community presented by Faith in

Action Alabama Mobile Hub. The problem that we face is the increase in gun violence

and homicides in the Port City.

This initiative aims to ensure that Mobile can become the hospitality and industry hub that it strives to be. Beyond that, we all embrace the spirit of the city’s goal to grow Mobile in terms of

financial and physical growth by creating a safer and cohesive community. 

Therefore, “STOP NOW! LIVE NOW!” aims to stop the violence so that we can live for the possibilities of today and tomorrow. The process of promoting peace comes through

our universal motto and message, We Want to Live, which shall resonate loud and clear

throughout the Mobile Community. Funding and implementing the STOP NOW! LIVE NOW!

initiative that will include a staff of a project director, administrator, social agencies, and

community ambassadors.

The community ambassadors will be trained to become transformed former perpetrators who

will intercede in potential activity through conflict resolution and deescaltion to form

relationships to establish trust and resolve to prevent further gun violence.

The STOP NOW! LIVE NOW! success rate of progress will be seen through a decrease in violent crimes, particularly homicide and gun violence, in targeted neighborhoods; decrease in disciplinary issues in the school system; a solidified community coalition that consists of the faith community, community organizations, city and county government, families of victims, former perpetrators, and concerned citizens; a creation of safe zones and progress points; and additional staff to cover more of Mobile and the surrounding areas.

We welcome you to join us in this fight to take back our city. Your funds, time, and

talents can help to stop this blight that is upon the Port City. For more information, you may contact Pastor Marvin Charles Lue Jr. by phone: