May 19, 2007 — Runners and walkers will line up by the Coast Guard Dock on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront at 4 p.m. Sunday to honor the life of Jason Carroll in the fourth Run Against Gun Violence.
Seven years ago Celia and James Carroll lost their 19-year-old son, Jason. He died in a downtown shooting on May 23, 2000. Since that tragic loss, the Carrolls have been community voices in the fight against gun violence.
Months after Jason was killed, Celia Carroll started a chapter of Mothers Against Guns (MAG) in the Virgin Islands. Now, thanks to James and Celia's efforts, May 23 is Jason Carroll Memorial Day and Mothers Against Guns Day, as proclaimed by former Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
For the past four years, Celia Carroll has organized the gun run, which is now a part of each year's memorial celebration. "The two-mile run against violence is to honor Jason and to provide meaningful support for someone else's child," she said. The race raises moneys for the Jason Carroll Memorial fund, which offers university scholarships for local high school students.
The scholarship is open to a student under 20 who is entering the University of the Virgin Islands as a freshman, has lived in the territory for a year, has no criminal record and has demonstrated a commitment against violence. Applicants must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average for the 2007-2008 academic year.
This year's application process is now closed. Applicants had to write a 1,000-word essay on "How the Virgin Islands will stop excessive violence in its community," and be willing to participate in Sunday's run.
When his life ended, Jason Carroll had just finished his first year at UVI and had written essays against gun violence, his mother said. "The essays are in Jason's memory," she said. UVI personnel judge the essays.
After last year's race, a murder victim's relative spoke out. She was Monica Williams Carbon, aunt of Sherett James, who was murdered March 25, 2006, by her former boyfriend, V.I. Police detective Joel Dowdye. Earlier this year, Dowdye was found guilty of the crime and sentenced to life in prison.
Carbon spoke forcefully as Celia Carroll stood beside her holding James' 3-year-old daughter, J'Briyan.
"Gun violence is a community problem," Carbon said. "It is our problem. It won't stop. It will take each of us. We need to push the Legislature now for a law that police officers cannot be investigated by police when they commit a crime. This is what we are going through now. It's a long road."
Registration for this year's race starts at 2:30 p.m. The two-mile run starts at the Coast Guard Dock at 4 p.m., travels west through Frenchtown to Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and returns to the Coast Guard Dock. Ceremonies take place immediately afterward at Emancipation Garden, where prizes will be awarded for each of eight age categories. Special prizes will be awarded to groups.
Before race day, the fee is $8 for adults and $3 for youngsters 17 and under. On race day, registration is $10 for adults and $5 for youngsters.
Participants can preregister at the Caribbean Surf Co., Havensight and Waterfront; Elizabeth Jane's, American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook; the Jackson Center, Antilles School; and the American Paradise Gym, Nisky Center.
Each year the race has attracted more participants, jumping from 100 in 2004 to more than 200 in 2005 and 2006. Carroll has high hopes for this year. She has free T-shirts ready for the first 300 finishers. "We are hoping parents will come with children this year, and that families will participate," she said.
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