MAD DADS holds anti-silence parade

Mayor dedicates Saturday 'Break the Code of Silence' day in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – MAD DADS and other community groups participated in a parade Saturday in hopes of encouraging the community to speak up when they know information that could help solve unsolved violent crimes.

They're asking people to speak up and to "Break the Code of Silence."

On Saturday, family and friends of those killed by violent crime marched in the parade hoping that someone will come forward with information to solve these cases.

One by one, the family and friends of people killed by violent crime whose murders remain unsolved took to the streets.

For one family it was also an anniversary, serving as a reminder that Amber Bass' killer is still on the loose.

The 22-year-old was shot and killed while sitting in her sister's driveway.

"It has been three months," Amber's dad Keith Bass said. "Today is the third month Amber's been gone."

Her killer is still on the loose and Bass hopes that through events like this parade, that will change.

"It seems like the pain, it just never ends," Bass said. "But this just helps to ease the pain when you have this much support in the community.Just the comfort of knowing that many people who care, who just come forth and help us through this time."

Bass joined families of other murder victims, including Megan Simmons, Brandon Greene, Michael England, and Tiphne Hollis -- in this "Break the Code of Silence" parade organized by MAD DADS -- Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder.

"We declare today "Break the Code of Silence" Day in Jacksonville," Mayor Alvin Brown said at the parade.

Brown honored the work MAD DADS is doing by declaring the day in Jacksonville.

"It's important that we all work together as a community to break the code of silence," Brown said. "As a member of MAD DADS, and everything they're trying to do, one organization can't do it alone."

The group walked from Myrtle Avenue and 19th Street and to Edward Waters College.
 
MAD DADS said they picked that intersection because there have been in murders in the area.

For the family of George Davis, the 82-year-old beaten to death, it holds an even deeper meaning.

"He stayed on that street right here," said the victim's son, Vincent Davis "We grew up over here so its good to be back in the community.

Now he and all the other family member here are hoping that by lifting their voices in the parade, others will do the same -- by coming forward with information that could bring long awaited closure.