Amon Beckles buried

Toronto —
Amon Beckles, the 18-year-old gunned
down outside a church earlier this
month, was buried Saturday after a funeral service
marked by anger and sorrow, and by those who
urged that his death should not be in vain.
Nearly 450 people packed a north Toronto church to
remember Mr. Beckles, who was described as a warm,
fun-loving young man with a charming smile.
Outside, a large contingent of plain clothes and uniform
police officers kept watch to prevent a repeat of the gunfire
that took Mr. Beckles's life. He was killed after stepping
outside for a cigarette at the funeral of Jamal Hemmings,
17, a close friend whose shooting death Mr. Beckles
had witnessed.
Provincial and municipal politicians joined religious
leaders at the funeral service in speaking out about the
need to create more opportunities for young people in
Toronto's black communities.
Close to 50 young men, the majority of them black,
have been killed by gunfire in Toronto this year.
Reverend Al Bowen, who led the service, said it's time
for the community to take responsibility for its children.
He called on families to provide stable environments
for their kids, and called on governments to provide
more street-level law enforcement for the community.
"What's being done by government comes from a
good heart, but it's inadequate," Rev. Bowen said.

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