MOBILE, Ala. — Law enforcement officials, victims’ advocates and community organizers are joining together for a symbolic funeral procession this weekend meant to draw attention to a troubling stretch of violent crime across the Mobile Bay area.
The event, dubbed “Bury the Violence,” was announced at a press conference this week by a coalition that includes representatives from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Mobile County District Attorney’s office, and victims’ advocacy groups. Organizers describe it as a visual awareness program intended to confront residents with the toll of violent crime in their own communities.
“One of the things we need to do is call attention to the violence, because we live in our homes, comfortably, and a lot of times don’t realize what is going on all around us,” said Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Ron Pearce, one of the event’s organizers.
The procession is set to begin at Government Plaza in downtown Mobile around 2 p.m. Sunday, winding through both Mobile and Baldwin counties before arriving at the Fairhope Pier for a brief closing ceremony around 3:30 p.m. Organizers have published a full route map online so residents can find a spot to watch or join along the way.
According to Tony Dickey, president and chaplain of Disaster and Victims International and one of the event’s lead organizers, participants plan to toss ceremonial flowers into Mobile Bay at the close of the procession in honor of victims of violent crimes, including murder, rape, bullying, domestic violence and sexual assault. Members of the public are encouraged to gather at the pier to take part in that portion of the ceremony.
Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich, who joined organizers at this week’s announcement, said addressing the area’s violent crime problem requires creative approaches beyond traditional law enforcement responses. She described the procession as an attempt to confront community members with the real consequences of violence before it claims another life.
“We want to try and gut-punch people with this processional,” Rich said. “If it makes a difference, and stops one murder, then it has been worth it.”
Organizers say the event is meant to be a communal moment of reflection as much as a call to action, giving residents across both counties a chance to publicly acknowledge the human cost of violence in their neighborhoods while pushing for renewed attention to prevention efforts.