UPDATE: Organizers plan Vick “celebration” in his hometown
Published: July 31, 2009
Updated: August 2, 2009
NEWPORT NEWS-- Some residents of Michael Vick's hometown are preparing a "celebration" for the former NFL quarterback, and Vick is expected to make an appearance at the event, an organizer said Friday.
The event is being sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The SCLC chapter president in Vick's hometown of Newport News, Andrew Shannon, said Vick is scheduled to speak at the event intended to promote Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings of nonviolence.
"We believe (Vick) has made atonement and we are hopeful that the public at large gives this young man a chance to move forward with his life," Shannon said.
He said he expects anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people to attend the family oriented event, which will feature face painting, pony rides, music and other festivities. Retailer DTLR was also among the organizers.
"It was his idea," John Eley, one of the organizers, told The Associated Press on Friday. "Vick wanted to give back to the community, like he always does."
The Aug. 8 event will include Vick, who grew up on the city's tough east side, Eley said. He said the city was providing a tent and chairs for the "Michael Vick Community Celebration."
The Daily Press of Newport News first reported the celebration on its Web site Friday night.
Andrew Shannon, the local SCLC president, did not immediately return telephone messages left by The Associated Press. Calls and e-mails to Vick's attorneys and his family also were not returned.
Vick has been conditionally reinstated in the NFL after completing a 23-month federal sentence for running a dogfighting ring.
Eley said many in Newport News have remained loyal to Vick, who he said donated toys and sports uniforms to needy children in the community as his fortunes rose in the NFL.
"He's an awesome guy," said Eley, a hair stylist who described himself as a friend. "I think he deserves a second chance. We all make mistakes."
Eley said Vick's interest in the celebration was inspired, in part, by a "Community Hug for Michael Vick," a July 2007 event that was intended to show the city's solidarity with Vick. About 100 people attended.
It was held the same month Vick and three others were charged with federal dogfighting charges.
Reader Reactions
The bible says that the word of God is able to divide between bone and marrow; soul and spirit, for it is sharper than any two-edged sword.(Hebrews 4:11) What I personally use that phrase for is to read the word of God to determine what my TRUE heart intentions are. To discern and determine why I really think and feel the way that I do about certain things….in other words to get to the root of my thoughts. It would appear that we have tremendous animal lovers out there who abhor the thought of such horrific crimes committed by Michael Vick for which he has repented for and paid the price, in more ways than one. Now as a thought to possible parallel this, I guess I should, as an African-American, abhor parents during slavery days who smashed their babies heads up against trees because they could not BARE the thought of their children going into slavery. It appears to me that Michael Vick is being subjected to an unrelenting ‘lynching’ and I say again….what is our true intention and should we forever hold on to the wrongdoings that have been invoked on a people. I know that God is forgiving and it would do us all well to learn about that provision of the LORD….it really works….try it and check out your hearts….I think you might find that the disdain for Michael Vick has very little, and I repeat, very little to do with what he did in the past….. Selah!!
Datony - I am one that believes that Michael Vick should be allowed to play in the NFL again, and be allowed to make a living the only we he probably can. But, you can’t assume that someone is racist whenever they say something that is against a black person. That is unfair, and is very bad for society. And, Why was it wrong for law enforcement to go after Vick, if his co-defendants were involved in drugs? You are not supposed to sell drugs. It doesn’t cost the federal government millions of dollars to investigate a crime, that is what they are already paid to do. These are the laws in our society, and I for one expect the laws to be followed and upheld. I haven’t seen any other million dollar dog fighting rings reported by Times Dispatch, to comment on either.
Vick needs our compassion, like he showed those dogs
Great example by the city to provide items for the celebration of a convicted felon. Good job Newport News, so glad I don’t live there.
piece of trash only given the time of day because he excels on the gridiron.
Commercials for the humane society will soon follow. thug trash.
greeno: I don’t worship football players like you or others, so all of this support for a convict is lost on me! I am assuming Stallworth is another thug football player, I don’t follow the sport, so I dont’ know the story. I just believe that all living beings, both human and animals, deserve the right to live and be treated with respect. Vick doesn’t understand basic moral concepts, he is depraved and souless, period.
Jack- I suppose you just want everyone to go through the rest of their lives with their scarlet letter proudly displayed, with no hope of moving past their past.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way
its animals are treated
When the lowest sleeze in our society is worshiped as a hero just because he can play a sport and his corrupt and repulsive lifestyle is forgiven just so some football fans can see him play we have no hope of greatness.
I have nothing against giving Vick a second chance, despite how despicable I find dogfighting to be. However, to have him as the star at what sounds like a family oriented gathering sends the wrong message. Sure, he has paid his debt society - as if he had a choice though. He would likely still be doing the same thing if the police rain didn’t fall on him. He needs to earn back the respect of the community through his behavior in the future, not just serving his time. And, I wonder if all of this is geared at image making since his NFL future is still in doubt (no team wants him…).
Its quite ironic that Vick thought of a “homecoming” party for himself. If we wanted to give back and be remorseful of his crimes, he would hold an educational based fundraiser for the animal groups that took in the dogs removed from his property or other groups doing similar work. He could educate his “supporters” on why dog fighting is wrong (aside from it being against the law) and how to properly be responsible for animals. Not to celebrate the simple fact that he is out of jail.
The other disrespectful irony, this event is connected with honoring MLK? His greatest influence and source of inspiration was Gandhi and Gandhi said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.
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