NORFOLK — Clay Marquez and his grassroots organization “Stop the Violence, Guns Down” planted signs across Norfolkencouraging the community to put an end to gun violence.
“We try to stop the violence before it can happen,” Marquez told News 3.
Watch: Nonprofit uses signs to try to prevent gun violence
Marquez said after he spent a decade in prison on drug charges, he turned his life around. Years after gaining his freedom, he made it his life’s mission to help prevent gun violence in his community by creating “Stop the Violence, Guns Down” six years ago. The Norfolk Police Department, city leaders and members of the community told News 3 Marquez’s efforts have made a difference.
News 3 has often seen Marquez comforting members of the community after devastating acts of gun violence in Norfolk. We’ve also seen his work to encourage hope and healing, too. He said he’s most proud of his group’s success in getting young people to turn over illegally acquired guns to the Norfolk Police Department.
Watch: Stop the Violence Guns Down offers support following Norfolk mass shooting
“We cannot do what we do, and what we need to happen in this city, without individuals like Clay,” said Sergeant Ali D. Williams of the Norfolk Police Department during the surprise award presentation for Marquez. “We thank you, we appreciate you. That partnership in working together with us, it’s definitely making a tremendous difference.”
“When we come together, we get our communities back,” said Norfolk City Councilman John "JP" Paige during the surprise award presentation for Marquez. “I thank Clay. I honor him.”
“I do it because I love to do it,” said Marquez, moments after I surprised him with a News 3 ‘Everyday Hero’ award at Purpose Park in Norfolk. “We’re losing too many young people out here [to gun violence] and one life lost is one too many.”
Yolanda Stoner, a former ‘Everyday Hero’ award winner and volunteer with Marquez’s group, nominated him for the award.
Watch: Norfolk mother who lost son to gun violence celebrated as a community ‘hero’
“He just does everything for the community. He does it from his heart, and that makes a big difference,” Stoner said.
News 3’s community partner, Southern Bank, gifted Marquez a $300 gift card. He immediately decided to donate it to P.B. Young Elementary School in Norfolk.
If you know someone like Clay Marquez who is working to make a difference in their community, nominate them for an Everyday Hero award!
