Lillian Davila, left, and Shirleen Hill, aunt and mother of Jamael Johnson, hold a sign in his honor at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. Johnson, 25, was killed by gun violence in February 2011 at a home near Youngstown State University.

YOUNGSTOWN — When it comes to sidestepping violence as a means to solve conflict, Andrew Sefcic has a straightforward solution for achieving such a goal that many would agree is low-tech, direct and correct.

“Many people have died from violence,” Andrew, 8, of Liberty, said. “Just walk away.”

Before stating his advice, Andrew heard numerous messages, speeches and testimonials that supported his observation because he was part of Sunday’s 13th annual Nonviolence Parade and Rally that began at Wood Street and Rayen Avenue and proceeded to the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre for a 90-minute program.

Hosting the event was Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past.

When most area children returned to the classroom after the COVID-19 pandemic was more under control, Andrew’s older brother, Nolan, and Nolan’s friend, Vincent Ferrero, noticed many of their peers were angry and regularly used swear words. So the two of them started a “stop the swearing campaign” — an idea that had an effect and that Andrew and Nolan’s mother, Shannon Sefcic, said also was a form of nonviolence.

To that end, Sefcic, a Harding Elementary School second-grade teacher, added that she works with Andrew regularly to encourage him to speak up when something is wrong so that potential problems can be addressed before they escalate.

Numerous community groups and organizations were represented in the parade, including the 7th Ward Citizens Coalition, Save the Mill Creek Park Deer, the Junior Civic League, the East High School Golden Bearettes, the Sacred Commons, Jack and Jill of America Inc.’s Youngstown chapter and several Youngstown State University men’s and women’s athletic teams. Also present were individuals and groups who were supporting various political candidates.

Among those who spoke during the program was interim YSU President Helen Lafferty, who explained that one’s choice of language and behavior are the telltale signs of the person’s dedication to adhering to the philosophy of nonviolence — something that requires a longtime commitment.

“Nonviolence is a way of life — not a parade, not a rally. It is not something we do for a week,” Lafferty said, adding: “I fully believe that words matter. Living a nonviolent life is a choice each and every one of us has to make every day.”

“Keep the fight for nonviolence going,” city Councilman Julius Oliver, D-1st Ward, said.

Oliver recalled a recent incident in which a close friend had been shot 22 times in a case of mistaken identity, yet miraculously survived and is hospitalized in Columbus. When the friend opened his eyes, he told Oliver he had forgiven the shooter — something that reaffirmed for Oliver the value of being nonviolent, the councilman said, adding that each act of violence against someone creates wide and long-lasting ripple effects.

Minnijean Brown Trickey, 82, one of nine black students who integrated the all-white Central High School in September 1957 in Little Rock, Arkansas, said she was deeply inspired to see a large number of young people at Sunday’s parade and rally.

Calling her story and those of the other eight blacks in Little Rock “world history and not just black history,” the civil rights icon, social justice advocate and pacifist urged attendees to challenge those who have adopted a divide-and-conquer approach, along with elected officials who wish to sanitize and whitewash American history.

Many young people, including members of Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past, are in a position to continue building Youngstown via their positive actions, Brown Trickey continued.

“I want kids who look like me to know you’re more than what you’re called,” Miah Pierce, 20, a YSU social work major and Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past member, said. “We must spread more love and kindness. The message of nonviolence is needed more than ever. Let’s make Youngstown greater for the people we’ve lost.”

Mayor Jamael Tito Brown told the several hundred in attendance that violence also leaves deep scars on survivors via having to live daily with trauma it produces, along with the sense of “What could happen to me next?” He also implored his listeners to examine within themselves what they can do to uphold living a life of nonviolence.

Several local Sojourn to the Past members also participated in a somber spoken word piece in which they reenacted snippets of narratives pertaining to local people who have lost their lives to violence. Those they honored were 4-year-old Rowan Sweeney; Isaiah Walker; 10-year-old Persayus Davis-May;, Reshaud Biggs Jr.; Edward Morris; Valarcia Blair; infant Tariq Morris; Walter Kornegay; Matthew Burroughs; Landon Lockhart; Eric Gibbs; and Jamael Johnson.

Johnson’s mother, Shirlene Hill, and aunt, Lillian Davila, also were at the program, where they held a sign in his honor.

“Until this violence stops, I won’t stop. No matter what side you’re on (victim or perpetrator), we all lose,” Hill said, adding that a strong faith in God has helped her through the uneven and often difficult grief process.

“(Johnson) still lives in us. The violence needs to stop; love is the key.”

Several upcoming events are set to observe Ohio Nonviolence Week in the Mahoning Valley, including:

•   Five-day reading challenge, through Thursday. Visit www.ohiononviolenceweek.org to receive daily reading materials. A panel discussion and wrapup of the five-day reading challenge will be noon Friday at the YWCA of Youngstown, 25 W. Rayen Ave.

•   Mingle with Minni, 5 to 9 p.m. today at Flambeau’s Live, 2308 Market St., Youngstown. Fundraiser dinner with Minnijean Brown Trickey is $25 per person.

•   Simeon Booker Award for Courage, 7 p.m. Tuesday at Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., Youngstown, with reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. and is $40 per person. Event also includes a free program to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Sept. 15, 1963, church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. The sisters of two of the four girls who were killed will speak. Award recipients will be Sarah Collins Rudolph, sister of one of the girls, and Sister Ann McManamon, who was coordinator of the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality.

•   ”Speak Your Peace,” a spoken word gathering for students in grades six to 12, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hopewell Theater, 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. Event is free.

•   Free reception for art and poetry contest awardees, 7 p.m. Thursday at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown.

•   ”The Art of Emotion,” a free art class for students in kindergarten to eighth grade, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane.