By Jane Prendergast
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WALNUT HILLS - They came to the funeral home Thursday afternoon not to attend yet another funeral of a young black man shot to death in Cincinnati, but to call for an end to the killings and escalating violence in the city.

Led by Vice Mayor Alicia Reece, a group of ministers, barbers, club owners and others gathered at the spot many of them have become familiar with for funerals to announce A Day of Peace on Father's Day. It's time, Reece said, that the community steps up to help curb escalating homicides, which are up 16 percent to date this year compared to last year.

The group promised to spread the word of peace from pulpits June 20, in their barbershops and nightclubs and through Cincinnati Human Relations Commission monitors who walk the streets.

Reece also asked people to pin black ribbons to their lapels to show they're committed to helping end the violence.

"You can continue to ignore the violence, but it's going to come around to you sooner or later," said Andrew Williams, owner of The Ritz nightclub in Bond Hill, where he and barber Jay Black are holding a free Father's Day mentoring event to kick off their new organization, Unified Black Men. Williams' nephew, Raemone Williams, was shot to death in the West End in April.

Homicide has directly touched the families of 36 people in Cincinnati so far this year, which is five more than this time last year. Last year, 75 people were slain - a 26-year high.

Police say many of the killings and shootings are related to drugs.

Councilman David Pepper suggested that every Cincinnati resident take time June 20 to identify one specific thing each can do to help the city combat violent crime.

Or, Reece said, be like Michelle Lane. Lane stepped up after 7-year-old Enijah Mincy was shot and wounded in front of her Over-the-Rhine apartment in March. Lane had an apartment available in Avondale, where Enijah and her family now live.

"We are standing here today with 36 (victims)," Reece said, standing in an alcove at the Thompson, Hall & Jordan Funeral Home.

"We can't stop talking about this issue and working on this issue."

E-mail jprendergast@enquirer.com