Loveland, Ohio – A “Community Prayer Event” left Kiwanis Park in the West Loveland Historic District at 7:30 PM this afternoon to walk through the neighborhood and across the Co. Thomas Paxton Bridge to Nisbet Park to pray.
Shane Harden a Co-lead Pastor of Branches Church in Miami Township said that he was inspired by Loveland resident Desmond Gault leading walks in Loveland after the death of George Floyd.
“We wanted to continue to bring our community together to pray.” In a release last week Harden said, “We’ll be praying for a lot of things…like for the Floyd family, for peace in Minneapolis and around the country, and for justice.”
The walks through Loveland neighborhoods organized by Desmon Gault lasted for seven days and were in response to the death of George Floyd who died in police custody on May 25 in the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
While Floyd, a Black man was handcuffed and lying face down on a city street during an arrest, Derek Chauvin, a white American Minneapolis police officer, kept his knee on the right side of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds; according to the criminal complaint against Chauvin, 2 minutes and 53 seconds of that time occurred after Floyd became unresponsive.
Loveland, Ohio – This is an interview with Kristy McNally just after she came back from one of the Prayer Peace Walks that have been organized by Desmon Gault all last week.
The walks through Loveland neighborhoods were in response to the death of George Floyd who died in police custody on May 25 in the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. While Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on a city street during an arrest, Derek Chauvin, a white American Minneapolis police officer, kept his knee on the right side of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds; according to the criminal complaint against Chauvin, 2 minutes and 53 seconds of that time occurred after Floyd became unresponsive.
McNally lives in the West Loveland Historic District with her husband Mike and their children.
Inwood Park, Cincinnati OH – Sunday, March 31st, 2020 After a handful of changes in location, the Facebook-organized rally labeled as “Be Heard, Be Safe;…
David Miller is the Editor and Publisher of Loveland Magazine
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – This is an interview with the Epiphany United Methodist Church, Youth Pastor Scott Russ, just before he departed to join one of the Prayer Peace Walks that have been organized by Desmon Gault all this week.
The walks through Loveland neighborhoods were in response to the death of George Floyd who died in police custody on May 25 in the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. While Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on a city street during an arrest, Derek Chauvin, a white American Minneapolis police officer, kept his knee on the right side of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds; according to the criminal complaint against Chauvin, 2 minutes and 53 seconds of that time occurred after Floyd became unresponsive.
Inwood Park, Cincinnati OH – Sunday, March 31st, 2020 After a handful of changes in location, the Facebook-organized rally labeled as “Be Heard, Be Safe;…
David Miller is the Editor and Publisher of Loveland Magazine
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – This is an interview with Loveland resident Matt Baker just before he departed to join one of the Prayer Peace Walks that have been organized by Desmon Gault all this week.
The walks through Loveland neighborhoods were in response to the murder of George Floyd who died in police custody on May 25 in the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. While Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on a city street during an arrest, Derek Chauvin, a white American Minneapolis police officer, kept his knee on the right side of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds; according to the criminal complaint against Chauvin, 2 minutes and 53 seconds of that time occurred after Floyd became unresponsive.
Inwood Park, Cincinnati OH – Sunday, March 31st, 2020 After a handful of changes in location, the Facebook-organized rally labeled as “Be Heard, Be Safe;…
David Miller is the Editor and Publisher of Loveland Magazine
In the photo above are Jensine, Joe, and June Mackzum who attended the prayer walk on Tuesday.
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – The Unity Prayer Walk through Loveland Neighborhoods has grown by 200%. What started as one man walking alone on a soul-searching quest to turn around and re-direct his anger over the death of George Floyd, his walk grew to around 200 people Tuesday night when about 170 more Loveland citizens joined him.
After Tuesday’s walk from the corner of West Loveland and Lebanon Road to Loveland High School, Desmond Gault described the feeling as, “The POWER of unity! Prayer Walk for UNITY, LOVE, JUSTICE, STRENGTH, PEACE, and HEALING” on his personal FaceBook page.
Photo provided by Desmon Gault
He told Loveland Magazine later in the evening, “Yes sir, It was truly amazing.”
Concerned over the death of George Floyd and wanting to be a symbol of healing and prayer-filled hope to the Loveland community, Gault has been organizing evening prayer walks since last Saturday.
Floyd died in police custody on May 25 in the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. While Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on a city street during an arrest, Derek Chauvin, a white American Minneapolis police officer, kept his knee on the right side of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds; according to the criminal complaint against Chauvin, 2 minutes and 53 seconds of that time occurred after Floyd became unresponsive.
Last night hey walked down West Loveland Avenue, turned onto Rich Road towards the High School. Then stopped at the High School and prayed as a group for the school – with their arms stretched towards the school.
“It was truly an amazing sight to see people from all different backgrounds, cultures and walks of life stepping out on faith for the cause of unity. My heart was overjoyed by the response of the people,” Gault told Loveland Magazine after he got home.
Jensine, Joe, and June Mackzum attended the prayer walk on Tuesday(Provided photo by Jensine Mackzum)
Gault said he had no expectation of the number of people that would show up Tuesday but he had every bit of expectation for the unity of prayer. “Hats off to everyone who attended and showed their support,” he said,
Gault, a deeply religious man was in constant prayer since the news of Floyd’s death. He added Tuesday night, speaking about his fellow walkers, “I pray that Christ Jesus enriches their lives with prosperity, unity, love, and hope. All Glory goes to our Lord Jesus Christ. I am proud of my Loveland Community tonight.”
Jensine Mackzum told Loveland Magazine that she, her husband Joe, and their daughter June attended the peace walk. She said, “Many people we walked past along the street waved and said, “Hello”. “Lots of cars passed honking and waving too.”
Mackzum sent these photos of Tuesday’s:
Jensine Mackzum said that when her daughter (in pink shirt) met the other little girl in the photo she said “aw cute” and gave her a high five. (Provided photo by Jensine Mackzum)(Provided photo by Jensine Mackzum)(Provided photo by Jensine Mackzum)(Provided photo by Jensine Mackzum)
The “Day 5 Prayer Walk” begins Wednesday at 5:45 PM. They meet in the parking lot of the Prince of Peace Church at the corner of Lebanon Road and West Loveland Avenue.
David Miller is the Editor and Publisher of Loveland Magazine
“God has given us a spirit of expectation to bring the community together.”
– Brittany Gault
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – The death of George Floyd hit Desmon Gault hard. I caught up with him and Brittany Gault Monday evening when they finished their evening Unity Prayer Walk through the neighborhoods surrounding the Prince of Peace Church on Lebanon Road.
Concerned over the death of George Floyd and wanting to be a symbol of healing and prayer-filled hope to the Loveland community, Desmon has been organizing evening prayer walks since last Saturday.
Floyd died in police custody on May 25 in the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. While Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on a city street during an arrest, Derek Chauvin, a white American Minneapolis police officer, kept his knee on the right side of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds; according to the criminal complaint against Chauvin, 2 minutes and 53 seconds of that time occurred after Floyd became unresponsive.
Desmon wrote on FaceBook last Wednesday leading up to his decision to organize the Unity Prayer Walks.
I could barely sleep last night. My mind just wouldn’t turn off. The extreme thoughts of what if that was me, my Dad, my son, my nephews, a family member or friend; flooded my thoughts and emotions. Far too often these thoughts have filtered through my mind through the many events that have unfolded in my lifetime.
We live in a time full of uncertainty. In the year 2020, who would’ve ever imagine we would be fighting the same fight of old. Yes I agree we are ages ahead of the racial tension of old, but yet so far away from the peace and forgiveness we so desperately need as a nation.
Maybe we’re closer than I think. Maybe I’m feeding into the agenda of the media and the powers that be. Maybe I’ve let the perception of the nationwide injustice or the personal experiences of racism I witness in my lifetime, blind my eyes of what actually is. Or maybe I’m just finally awaken to the fact that America will never change.
Many will say we are better than we once were… But systematically are we truly? Though I love the Lord with all my Mind, Body and Spirit, how will that stop someone from using their free will of mistaking me for the wrong person which transpires to me being that latest headline on the news.
Maybe I’m just thinking to much into it, or maybe… just maybe this is the heart wrenching reality of our America.
These were just my thoughts last night…I prayed and finally went to sleep.
Watch this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV interview with the Gaults to find out what was on their hearts and why they are walking in Loveland. I spoke to this deeply religious couple immediately after Desmon prayed for those who walked with them. I also asked the couple what they would say to “nonbelievers” and asked why the death of George Floyd has made such an impact on everyday people in the Loveland Community.
Desmon said that he hopes that he and his wife can be an inspiration to someone amid this trial in our city and our nation. “When I heard about the death of George Floyd my heart wanted to turn hard and bitter and I wanted to be angry,” he explained. So it was around last Thursday evening he decided to do something to be “impactful to his family, his son, and his daughter.”
Because we are an interracial couple – what can we do to make our voice be known in all of this –– this fog that’s going on in this world? – Desmon Gault
Brittany said, “If anyone wants to join us we’re going to continue this and we just ask God that he’s going to help us lead when others don’t know how to lead. God has given us a spirit of expectation to bring the community together.”
They will be walking again Tuesday beginning at 5:45 PM, meeting at the intersection of West Loveland and North Lebanon Road.
![[Interview] Youth Pastor Scott Russ speaks about George Floyd and racial justice](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/maxresdefault-4.jpg)
![[Interview] Matt Baker speaks about George Floyd and racial justice](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/maxresdefault-2.jpg)
