Archdiocese of New Orleans: Thou shalt not kill

Archdiocese to distribute 5,000 anti-violence yard signs

By Martha Carr, The Times-Picayune/Nola.comThe Times-Picayune
on October 15, 2012

 

In an effort to encourage an end to violence, murder and racism in a city known for its own brand of street justice, the Archdiocese of New Orleans plans to distribute 5,000 yard signs this week that read, "Thou shalt not kill -- God." The signs are part of an ongoing campaign dubbed the "New Battle of New Orleans," designed to remind residents that violence is an unacceptable way of resolving conflicts.

Enlarge Photo by Ted Jackson, Nola.com | The Times-PicayuneTED JACKSON / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Archbishop Gregory Aymond hugs New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas after a press conference where Aymond announced an addition of an anti-crime prayer to all masses in the New Orleans area, Wednesday, March 9, 2011.New anti-crime prayer announced gallery (7 photos)

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"I want area Catholics and non-Catholics ... to be able to proudly display the signs and in doing so, tell their neighbors, we are a people of peace, we do not accept or want violence in our neighborhoods," Archbishop Gregory Aymond said in a statement.
The yard signs will be delivered to church parishes this week and are free. The archdiocese will also display two large "Thou shalt not kill" banners, one at its main office at 1000 Howard Avenue and the other near the corner of South Carrollton and Walmsley avenues.
The campaign comes on the heels of the launch of a city-sponsored ad campaign called "Flip the Script," which focuses on changing the attitudes of and about young black men. Created by filmmaker Spike Lee, that effort is part of Mayor Mitch Landrieu's "Nola For Life" initiative to halt the city's murder rate, a rate 10 times the national average with a killing every two days on average.

While the archdiocese's campaign was not planned in conjunction with the city's, officials said the aims are the same. Aymond began his campaign in March 2011 by asking local congregations to recite a prayer to end violence at Sunday Mass.