Laquarry Jefferson’s grandmother, Donia Jefferson, center, is consoled by a group of supporters at yesterday’s march. 

‘Man up’ march draws hundreds

BOSTON. Angered by what they called the deterioration of their neighborhoods and fearful for what may become of them if they don’t act soon, hundreds of men took to Boston’s streets yesterday in a collective call for accountability.

Marching from Grove Hall to City Hall, the men walked in honor of Liquarry Jefferson, the 8-year-old boy killed when his young cousin accidentally shot him inside a Roxbury apartment last year. While it represented one tragedy, it spoke to the possibility of so many others.

“For the past 20 years, when there’s violence we look the other way. Men look the other way,” said MC Spice, who helped organize the event through Touch 106.1 FM, the radio station he broadcasts from each morning. “Men have to man up.”

At a rally before the walk community and religious leaders asked those who had experienced a tragedy tied to the streets to come forward. Soon, a line snaked its way toward the front.

And some of those on hand weren’t even men.

Donia Jefferson, Liquarry’s grandmother, openly wept near pictures of the little boy, and 12-year-old Rasheed Walters talked about being scared to even ride the bus.

MC Spice said the rally is part of a campaign that will include ‘Man Up Mondays,’ designed to pull men together for community meetings.