Baltimore elder speaks on attack at anti-violence rally
In the wake of an assault on a 74-year-old elder, hundreds gathered outside the 7-Eleven at 2500 Liberty Heights Ave. on July 26 to answer a “Clarion Call” urging organizations across Baltimore to stand against senseless violence. The post Baltimore elder speaks on attack at anti-violence rally appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By Andrew Hall
Special to the AFRO
On the night of July 7, Ade Oba Tokunbo was making a routine visit to the neighborhood convenience store when his world changed.
“I came to the 7-Eleven on Liberty Heights. The lights were on, but nobody was in the store. So I went to get back in my car, and I saw six people come from the bushes. One of them told me to give him my keys and whatever money I had,” Tokunbo told the AFRO.
“There were six of them,” he continued. “They surrounded me, started throwing crates at me and hitting me. I fought them off for 10 to 15 minutes, but they finally knocked me down. One or two of them kicked me and that was the cause of my fractured rib.”
When asked what motivated him to continue fighting back, the 74-year-old simply said it’s in his nature. Aside from the fractured rib, Tokunbo sustained a hand injury and bruises to his body.
Horrified, yet motivated by the attack, Queen Mother Victory Swift-Gye Nyame, Gwendolyn Levi and Ujimma Masani united to issue a “clarion call” to action – and Baltimore responded. More than 100 concerned citizens gathered outside the 7-Eleven at 2500 Liberty Heights Ave. on July 26 to answer the call urging individuals and organizations to stand against violence in Baltimore communities.
“We said we have to do something,” said Swift-Gye Nyame. “We decided we were going to fight back.”
For Swift-Gye Nyame, the site of Tokunbo’s assault is tied to her another deeply, painful attack.
“Sister Ujimma called me and asked me how the elder was doing,” said Swift-Gye Nyame. “I shared with her that this was the same location where Victorious was murdered.”
On March 26, 2017, Swift-Gye Nyame’s son, 19-year-old Victorious K. Swift, a well-loved boxer and artist, had just left the 7-Eleven when he was shot and killed during an attempted robbery.
The loss of her youngest child, whom she called her “joy,” and the more recent assault on a beloved community elder, further fueled Swift-Gye Nyame’s determination to find a solution with those who are like-minded.
“We decided we were going to fight back,” she said. “We want to begin the process of changing how we think and look at the city and how to move forward as a collective.”
Droves of people representing dozens of organizations appeared ready to answer Mother Victory’s call on July 26.
Joe Jones, a representative from the Center of Urban Families, said the community needs to reach impressionable youth before the system does.
“Brother , I’m so sad and heartbroken about what happened to you. Let’s send a signal to those six young boys who did that and, with your permission, find a way to engage them and bring them in before the system gets them,” Jones said. “Hold them accountable, have them make amends, and then get them engaged in services to turn their lives around.”
Jones continued, “It sends a signal to the other young people that there’s opportunities for you to do something different. Your own people won’t attack you.”
Bishop Michael Watson Jr., vice president of religious affairs for the National Action Network, implored his fellow community members to speak words of hope into each other and shared words of encouragement. He urged “unity in our community.”
“We live in a time where it’s easy to become divided by differences in age, race, politics, economics or personal opinions. Strong communities are built when neighbors care for each other, families support one another and churches partner together,” said Watson Jr. “Unity does not mean we all think alike. It means we choose to respect one another, listen to one another, and work together towards a common cause.”
Data released from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) shows a 17 percent decrease in juvenile arrests between 2025 and 2026. Still, there is more progress to be made, advocates say.
Christina Duncan Evans, chair of the Baltimore Teachers Union Teacher Chapter, said the community must not give up on its youth.
“I just want to thank the community for standing together and lifting us up because we’re not giving up,” said Evans. “We’re not giving up on our youth, we’re not giving up on our families, and we’re fighting every single day.”
Tokunbo also addressed the crowd. He said despite the horror of his experience, he remains optimistic that the community can unify to end violence in Baltimore.
“I thank you for your concern, your care, for coming out and being willing to help,” the 74-year-old told those gathered. “I hope that all the groups that are here keep in contact so we can set up a time where we can all meet regularly cooperate together to educate and mobilize people.”
BPD is currently investigating the attack on Tokunbo and is asking for help identifying the individuals responsible. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact citywide robbery detectives at 410-366-6311 or by calling Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
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