By Nathan Duke
Southeast Queens residents turned out last weekend to honor the life of a 23-year-old Hollis man who was gunned down in November 2007 through an event in Jamaica sponsored by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons that promoted nonviolence in the community.
The family and friends of Mark Arrington, a Hollis man who was shot and killed Nov. 14, 2007, took part Saturday in the second-annual I Love My Life Day at Jamaica Park at 202nd Street and Jamaica Avenue.
Erica Ford, founder of southern Queens nonviolence advocacy group I Love My Life, said the event provided a day of fun for community residents, but also promoted peace.
“It’s a day to remember all the people who have lost their lives to senseless violence,” she said. “It will cause them to take a look at their actions.”
Borough President Helen Marshall has presented Ford’s group with a plaque that has proclaimed July 14 to be I Love My Life Day.
Tizu Arrington, Mark Arrington’s stepmother, said her family planned to hold Markie’s Day every year close to her stepson’s birthday in July. Saturday’s event included face painting, a basketball game, balloon rides, dodgeball, food and snow cones.
More than 150 people hung out at Jamaica Park Saturday afternoon. One man wore a T-shirt that read, “Why the Good Die Young?”
“We do this in his honor because when this happens, it does not just affect one person but the whole community,” she said. “We want to promote stopping the violence.”
The day’s activities were sponsored by hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons, who was raised in Hollis.
Arrington’s two sons — Marquis, 8, and DeMarco, 3 — attended the event.
In July 2008, police arrested 19 members of an alleged Hollis chapter of the Crips, including Javier Chisolm, 20, who was charged in Arrington’s shooting death.
Adjoa Gzifa, chairwoman of Jamaica’s Community Board 12, said she hopes members of the community continue to plan similar events that promote peace in southeast Queens.
“It brings the community together,” she said. “We are going to make sure no more of our kids die senselessly. It’s about burying our differences,”
I Love My Life will hold another community event Aug. 21 at Baisley Park to honor Sean Bell, a Jamaica man who died in a hail of 50 bullets from city police officers Nov. 25, 2006.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or b y phone at 718-260-4566.
