ST. THOMAS - Prayers were said, songs were sung and memories were shared Monday as members of the community gathered at the Raymo Center basketball courts to honor loved ones who fell as victims of violent crime.

The day of prayer and reflection was organized by Myron Jackson of We From Upstreet and Kidscope executive director Dilsa Capdeville, both of whom have lost family members to violent crime.

With music, food and some tears, the community gathered to share their pain and give each other love and comfort.

"The support has been really tremendous," Jackson said.

While only about 75 people trickled in and out of the event all day long, the loudspeakers broadcast the prayers and heartfelt memories of family and friends for several blocks in all directions.

"Hopefully, people are listening to what we have to say," Jackson said.

Capdeville said fathers and mothers spoke about losing children, women spoke about losing husbands and boyfriends and young people spoke about losing friends.

The day began at 9 a.m. when young men from the Hospital Ground neighborhood helped to clean up the basketball court and set up tents. Then women from the neighborhood began to bring food and snacks and at noon the music and remembrances began.

"We spoke from our hearts, some of us did remembrances of our loved ones who we've lost," Capdeville said.

The day ended with people lighting candles and placing them in white paper bags. As dusk fell, the luminaries lined the basketball court and the sidewalk.

"It's our way of protesting what's happening," Capdeville said. "We collectively have to make a difference and stop the violence in whatever way we can."

She said part of the reason violent crime has become so prevalent in the Virgin Islands is because the people have become numb to it.

"Calluses have grown over the hearts of our people and there is a lack of respect for life, and that is a travesty," Capdeville said. "We can't wait for police to do it. We can't wait for churches to do it. We as a community must uprise and create the better world we all want."

One of the mothers who spoke Monday was Bernadette Gonsalves, whose 21-year-old son, Issachar Chinnery - known to everyone as Tigrι - was gunned down June 24 outside Club 75.

"He was a wonderful guy, talented and multifaceted," she said.

She has started a foundation in her son's name to educate young men about alternatives to violence.

"It's not just my kid, it's any kid," Gonsalves said. "That's why I'm so passionate about it."

Her group has started to have community fish fries in Hospital Ground every other Friday to build the neighborhood and get people to start working together to take a stand against violence. She said that in the past month, the gunshots have died down, and she believes it is because of the work she is doing in the neighborhood.

Christina Miller, the cousin of 12-year-old Laquina Hennis, who was killed April 6, 2007, spoke at Monday's event. She has started a foundation in her cousin's name, which puts on a basketball tournament for elementary schoolchildren around the anniversary of Laquina's death every year.

She said the most important thing that will stop the violence in the territory is to let the kids know that someone cares for them.

"We don't need to help them with money, we need to help them with love," she said.

Capdeville said she and Jackson hope to make the event happen again.

"This is the first time that we've done this. It won't be the last," Capdeville said. "We're looking for this to start a crescendoing of positive influence and energy to come into our community."