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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."
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.
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Mike Vick
Michael Vick went to jail for the crime he committed and lost his priveleges of playing football and endorsements.His reputation was tornished. Now this is his opportunity to redeem himself. If he becomes caught up in the negative attitudes towards him, he will never take his first step. I say go for it because there are so many untold sins in other peoples that they continue to do on a daily basis and if it got published for the world to judge, woe is he!Our tax money is going to institutions to keep people locked up with no intervention so they can be functionable citizens, therefore its an endless cycle of modern day slavery. When people have no help or support its almost inevitable that they will not succeed on the right path for their lives.
A "Tribute" to Michael Vick?
I had to read the headline twice! I wholeheartedly believe in 2nd chances--and I believe someone should pay for their mistakes. However, what Mike Vick did was so abhorrent, so sickening, that only a person of monstrous character could have carried it out. And, now, 23mos later we are to believe he is a completely NEW person? I don't see how. He is a convicted felon... not a petty criminal. His crimes were vast, and his crimes were ongoig for a very long time. There are so many REAL heroes to celebrate. What's this all about? This is a terrible message to send to youth! We tell them crime doesn't pay, stay out of trouble, you'll not get anywhere in life leading a criminal's life... yet now we're thinking of celebrating that very thing. Now, that is inexplicable.
Celebration for Michael Vick
Let me get this straight. Newport News citizens are celebrating MV. Tell me that isn't so!! The
event honoring Bruce Smith was cancelled because of Speeding and DUI violations. And yes I know they are bad. Esp. DUI and driving with speed. A celebration is being held celebrating a felon. Oh My! This just is not right. There are so many really good, honorable atheletes to celebrate. MV is not only a felon but has wrong doings a mile long. Wrong doings over some years time that are a mile long. Celebrate someone worthy. Please reconsider. Pick someone worthy of celebrating. How much is this going to cost us? Is Andrew Shannon and the SCLC going to pay for everything? I do not want my tax dollars to go towards this. I can better use my $ elsewhere. Believe me I can. And this is not racial. So get that thought out of your mind right now. My best friend is of color. I could care less if you are black, white, red, green, or yellow. It's the person I object to celebrating.
Unbelievable!
Celebrating MV's return to NN is wrong on so many levels. If they want to welcome him back, it should be done in a "Forgiveness" service at some church.
This is a con"vick"ted felon, and should be treated as such. He needs a great deal of psycotherapy -- and medication -- to keep him from further abusing animals and people. He does not need to be celebrated by a small faction of the community. Remember, he's not just an animal abuser, he's also a high-stakes gambler who places illegal bets. What's to keep him from betting on football?
Enough
Finally, Vick plans to speak or does that mean his attorneys plan to speak for him? Another PR move on Vick and his Attoneys part to satisfy one of the conditions of his probation. Hopefully the City of Newport News will distance themselves from this event including the use of any taxpayers money. Enough of the city and state taxpayers money has already been spent on convicted felons in Virginia the past 2 to 3 years.
Celebration for MV
Oh tell me they aren't!!! They aren't celebrating Michael Vick when there are so many good role model atheletes to celebrate. The ceremony honoring Bruce Smith was cancelled because of speeding and DUI(and yes DUI is bad) but there is to be a celebration honoring Michael Vick. A felon. A man who has done MANY WRONGS through the years. We honor Scum but not honorable atheletes. That's absolutely crazy. What is wrong with everyone? If and When he is picked up by a team(and yes some not to smart team will pick this 'person' up) and starts earning $, I do hope and pray his wages get garnished like anyone elses. And this is not about race. Get over that!! I do not care what color you are. My best friend is black. Rather you are black, white, yellow, green, whatever..this is wrong. How much is this costing us? I want my money to go to something worth while!!!
Celebration??????
I am not sure what is being celebrated. Is it for Michael Vick or is it to promote Martin Luther King's teachings of non-violence. If the SCLC wishes to have a rally promote non-violence, that is great and I if Michael wants to attend and give support that cause, that's great too. But if you call it a Michael Vick day or a celebration of Michael Vick then don't reference Martin Luther King. I just think how you title this celebration adds to the creditability of this event. I want Michael to make it back to the NFL. Perhaps when he makes it back to the NFL and wins a Super Bowl, then the city can have a parade for Michael and celebrate not only a Super Bowl winner but a man who changed his life around...now that's worth celebrating.
P.S....there are no haters out here, we are all entitled to our opinions!
What's wrong with this country?
The only thing I can say is that anyone who celebrates someone like michael vick is that they are the same kind of person he is ...period!
Why is this news?
I was no longer even going to read any more stories about Vick and I messed up when I saw this had the most comments. When are people just going to give Vick/news stories about hime a rest and move on? Vick committed a crime. He went to prison. He is now a felon on probation. Who cares what he does with his life as long as he is no longer committing crimes? Why waste more of our energy or time on this guy?
TRULY BAD NEWS
Let me get this straight. Virginia Beach cancels a ceremony honoring Hall of Famer Bruce Smith for being accused of a DUI. Newport News holds a ceremony honoring convicted felon Michael Vick, who can't even get into the Hall of Fame without $18 that he has to hide from his creditors. Lets put Bruce Smith in Newport News and Michael Vick in Virginia Beach.