Pubdate: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 Source: Hartford Courant (CT) Copyright: 2002 The Hartford Courant Contact: http://www.ctnow.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/183 Author: Lee Foster LEWIS CONTINUES ANTI-DRUG CRUSADE The Rev. Cornell Lewis continued his anti-drug, anti-violence campaign Saturday by leading a large group on a tour of trouble spots in Hartford's North End. About 100 people participated in the "March Against Drugs," including representatives from Hogar Crea, re-education program for drug addicts, and members of other community groups. The procession moved slowly in a light rain, stopping frequently so Lewis could point out locations where he said criminal activity was common. "No more drugs. No more violence," marchers chanted in English and Spanish. Some handed out fliers for anti-drug and social service programs to a few pedestrians out in the light rain. Residents stood on their porches or leaned out windows to watch impassively as the march wound from Lozada Park off Bedford Street along several streets north of Albany Avenue. Standing in the back of a white pickup truck, microphone in hand, Lewis and others exhorted residents to "Take back our neighborhoods." The theme music of the march was Bob Marley's revolutionary anthem, "Get Up, Stand Up." Over the public address system, Lewis lambasted some store and business owners for "giving refuge" to drug sellers. This summer, small groups of activists led by Lewis held sit-ins at neighborhood stores to protest what he said was the owners' complicity in illegal drug activity. A section of Mather Street is "a hotbed of drug activity," with dealers making sales any time day or night, Lewis said. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex