Speaking out for peace in Brentwood

It was only six months ago Christopher Hamilton, 15, of Brentwood was fatally shot at a party around the block from his home, and to his mother, Erica Boynton, the pain is just as strong as the day it happened.

Boynton, 36, spoke about her son Saturday at Timberline Park in Brentwood during a demonstration for peace held by churches, organizations and members of the community.

Hamilton, a Brentwood Freshman Center student who went by the nickname Brisko, was among more than 30 kids gathered about 10 p.m. Friday at the house of a friend. Several shots were fired from a lawn across the street, and Hamilton was shot in the temple. No one has been charged in the shooting.

Addressing the crowd, Boynton stood with Clara Fiallo, 40, of Brentwood, whose own son was shot and killed in February.

"I'm here today to stop the violence on the streets and make it safer for the kids and the community," Boynton said. "Stop the gangs. Get the gangs out of the community and off the streets completely. I just want everyone to live a longer life.

"I don't want the next parent to bury their child because it's a painful thing that's never going to be healed."

Timberline Park was filled with the sound of praising God, heartwrenching stories from mothers who lost their sons, poetry and theater put on by Generation Unleashed, a ministry from Holbrook. Some of the organizations were the Boys and Girls Club of Suffolk County, Latino Health Initiative and numerous churches. Cross Roads Counseling Center of Holbrook was there to spread awareness to the community that they are there to help at risk youth and families. "We stand together with other organizations and churches and say stop the violence. Were taking our parks and our streets back." Jay Hart, Executive Director said.

Other organizations included Home Depot , whichdid projects with kids; L.I. Citizens for Community Values, of Lindenhurst, which aims to reduce sexual exploitation of women, men, children and families; and Life in Family Empowerment, which had guides to community services, churches and faith-based education.

Devon Daniel, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club and minister at Abundant Life Church, wanted the members of the community to understand they are not alone.

"It is important to show the community there are people that care, that they are not lost," he said. We want to change the culture. We want to empower them. They do not have to sit back and take it."