Uniting in Faith

Chief Myron Demkiw joined service members, community faith leaders and residents for a prayer walk through 13 Division, focused on unity, healing and community safety.

 “We are in our third year of doing this prayer walk, a very impactful event for us across the city, bringing multiple faiths together in our shared commitment to community safety and well-being,” Demkiw said.

Community members gathered shoulder to shoulder, taking part in prayers and walking together sharing in conversations, in every police division across Toronto on April 30.

 “It’s an incredible force to see different leaders from our faith communities coming together. We are here to do whatever we can to make a difference and it begins with prayer,” said participant Denise Huyler.

 Rev. Wendell Gibbs was among those to lead a prayer at several locations, connecting with residents and offering words of encouragement along the way.

“We see the value in bringing faith and law enforcement together to publicly demonstrate a sense of unity in our community. You see people of all faiths walking with the chief, the mayor, MPs and councillors, so we can demonstrate publicly what we are all hoping for, a sense of safety and a sense of unity as we move forward in our city. We can pray, walk together and break down some of the city-wide barriers,” said Gibbs.

Rabbi Louis Sachs also took part, leading a prayer outside his Beth Sholom Synagogue and reflecting on the importance of connection between neighbours.

 “It’s a chance for us to just talk to each other, to learn about each other and to build connections. The core value of Judaism is to love your neighbour as yourself,” Sachs said.

 Embracing the positive message of unity, Mayor Olivia Chow also joined in the walk alongside Toronto Police Service Board Chair Shelley Carroll.

 “I feel that power in unity. Faith leaders joining the Chief and all of us to say in one voice, love is much better than hate,” said Mayor Chow.