The organizer of a peace rally last weekend hopes to make the event a regular one.

More than 200 people attended a rally Saturday in Clanton’s West End community, according to Stacey Taylor with Hopewell Baptist Church.

The event included food, speakers, performances by church youths and inflatables for children.

Taylor said he wanted to do something to build up his community, partly because of time he spent bringing it down.

“I know I helped destroy my community,” said Taylor, 43, because he sold drugs at a young age and has been jailed four times. “I had a vision to change my life. I want to try to make a difference.”

Taylor said he’s lost three cousins to violence in West End.

He wanted to bring people together.

“It’s not about a church,” Taylor said. “It’s about a community.”

Taylor thanked Associated Foods and Winn-Dixie for donating to the event. Individuals who contributed include: Overseer Larry Sailes at Hopewell, Velma Tinsley, Eric Wilson, Veronica Walker, Gaisha Williams, Danielle Ware, Angela Myrick, Venita Underwood, Candace Benjamin, Travis and Ngozi Wimbush, Madece Varner, Herb White, Ernest Abercrombie, Larry Hudson, Jan Taylor, Philander and Lucinda Browder, Trudy Lee, Christy Edwards, Tonya and Bennie Nix, Chris Winters and Tracy Taylor Johnson.

Taylor also thanked Sheriff John Shearon and Ken Harmon from the sheriff’s department, and Chief Brian Stilwell and David Clackley with the Clanton Police Department, for attending.

Another peace rally has been scheduled for March 28. Plans are also being made for a “Stop the Violence” parade, but no date has been set yet.

“We’re looking forward to bigger things,” Taylor said.