This month I want to honor one of Germantown’s finest, Jamal Johnson. You may have seen this retired Marine Corps veteran on the news, in the newspaper, at City Hall or heard him on the radio calling on Mayor Jim Kenney to declare gun violence a citywide emergency.
I first saw Jamal on the news as he walked from Philadelphia to Washington DC in 2020, not knowing that one day I would have the pleasure of meeting him in person as well as having conversations and an opportunity to work with him in his fight against gun violence.
For the last four years, Jamal has laced up his walking shoes to prepare for his 140-mile walk from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Jamal walks to bring awareness and change to police brutality. He started doing this annual walk after the untimely death of David Jones at the hands of a Philadelphia police officer in 2017.
Last year’s walk hit different due to the climate of the country over the devastating events that surrounded George Floyd’s death.
Once Jamal makes it to DC, he meets with the Congressional Black Caucus and the Department of Justice to discuss a list of reforms he feels strongly about. Some may wonder why he walks when he could drive, catch a bus or email. Jamal feels passionate about what he does and walking brings attention to lawmakers.
Jamal’s latest endeavor was to go on a hunger strike outside of City Hall. The city told him he couldn’t camp out overnight, so he stood in front of City Hall each day for over a month.
This began on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18 and lasted until Feb. 12, 2021. He ended it because Mayor Kenney finally acknowledged him by meeting with him where he sat in front of City Hall. The Mayor stated he would begin to enact things that were mentioned in the resolution, and Jamal held him to his word, ending the hunger strike within hours after their talk. I am proud of Jamal because he showed courage, and didn’t bow down on his demands.
The following week, Jamal was in Texas helping out after the storm devastated the area. Right after his plane landed, he hit the ground running in search of water and other necessities for the residents in need.
Once he returned, he reached out to the Mayor’s office and to his surprise, Mayor Kenney had not worked on the resolution. Jamal continued to give him time, but once he realized the Mayor wasn’t going to keep his word, Jamal announced he was going back on his hunger strike.
This time it was different because he felt he wasn’t getting support from anyone, so he ended it within a week. But he continues to keep everyone on his Facebook page aware of the gun violence and murders that are committed throughout the city.
Jamal has children and grandchildren. A couple of weeks ago I was on an app called Clubhouse and Jamal’s grandson Robert McKinsey was speaking. He is so proud of his grandfather and all of the things he does. He made a joke saying, “I never know where he is going to pop up to lend a helping hand.” He said how his grandfather is teaching him to be a better man.
Someone once said, “Give people their flowers while they are still here.” On Friday March 5, 2021 Jamal was blessed to receive a fully loaded 2006 Cadillac for all his community endeavors.
Activist Rowena Lynne Jones-Faulk, who supports Jamal’s fight against gun violence, surprised him with the car while he was live on Facebook in front of City Hall on his protest. Jamal was in a state of shock.
“I had to get you a car so you could get around and continue to help others. Mr. Jamal, you are a good man,” stated Rowena.
The surprises didn’t stop there. His car is insured for the next six months and he received $200 in cash to transfer the title into his name.
This spoke volumes to me as a person. You never know who is watching you. You never know who is rooting for you. You never know whose life you will change just by being you. Jamal, you are our shining star. Continue to allow your light to shine high. We love and thank you for all you do!
Kimberly Kamara is the author of “Where’s My Daddy,” a children’s book aimed at kids who’ve lost a parent to murder. The book was inspired by her family’s continuing journey of grief after her son, Niam Johnson-Tate, lost his life to gun violence on July 5, 2017. Kimberly has two daughters and lives in Germantown with her husband.
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