Little Rock, Arkansas – Community members gathered Thursday morning in Little Rock to honor the lives lost to violence in 2025 and call for peace in the new year. The annual Say McIntosh Stop the Violence Prayer Vigil took place at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Daisy Bates, where participants reflected on the challenges their neighborhoods faced and the hope for safer streets in 2026.
Organized by the Robert “Say” McIntosh Foundation, the vigil is a yearly tradition aimed at keeping the memory of homicide victims alive while promoting unity and prayer. Leaders from the Pulaski County “OK” program joined Derotha McIntosh in placing wooden crosses into the ground, each one symbolizing a life lost over the previous year. After setting the crosses, the group released balloons in memory of those victims, filling the early morning sky with colors that represented both remembrance and hope.
Following the symbolic gestures, participants prayed together, asking for peace, healing, and an end to violence across the community. McIntosh stressed the importance of collective action, saying, “We definitely depend on prayer and everybody coming together and loving on one another. If you are my neighbor and I’m concerned about you, then that festers into the next person and the next person in that community, and all together we can come up with some power to stop some of this violence if we work collectively together.” Her words reflected the vigil’s central message: that community care, unity, and shared concern can be powerful tools against crime and conflict.
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McIntosh also noted a setback that occurred in late November when vandals damaged the vigil site. Several crosses were defaced, and a bulletin board displaying messages and information about the event was torn down. She encouraged local residents to volunteer to repair the damage and help restore the site. “If you’re interested in helping, you can call (501) 960-2468 to help,” McIntosh said, emphasizing that the effort to honor victims and prevent future violence is a community responsibility.
For many attending the vigil, the event was more than a moment of remembrance; it was a chance to reflect on the past year, share grief, and renew hope. Residents and organizers alike view these gatherings as a vital step toward reducing violence by fostering solidarity, communication, and accountability within neighborhoods.
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As 2026 begins, the Say McIntosh Stop the Violence Prayer Vigil serves as a reminder that while the loss of life is tragic, the response can be powerful when a community unites in remembrance, prayer, and action. Through continued efforts like these, leaders hope to create a safer, stronger environment for all Little Rock residents.
