‘Unity Rally’ at courthouse set to support teachers, youth

   In an effort to show support for the parish’s teachers and children, an “Avoyelles Parish Unity Rally” will be held on the courthouse steps at 7 p.m. Thursday.

  “In light of all of the terrible things that have happened statewide and nationally, we believe it is appropriate to have this rally to help bring all communities in this parish together,” Avoyelles Police Jury President Charles Jones said.

   The event will include songs from the St. John Community Church-Baptist choir and a “message of hope for children” by Rev. Charles Guillory, pastor of that church.

School Board President Darrell Wiley will speak on the topic of “leading our family to success.” APSD Superintendent Blaine Dauzat’s address is entitled, “Our Teachers and Students.”

District Attorney Charles Riddle will talk on the topic of “saving our young people.”

    Rev. Leslie Draper of Simmesport will speak on “a community working for peace.”

    Officials of Avoyelles Public Charter School will also speak at the event and the school’s choir will perform prior to the rally being closed in prayer.

   The Unity Rally theme is a quote of the late Eva Burrows, former international leader of the Salvation Army: “In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together and the music that brings harmony.”