Praying for a safe school year in Elmont, Valley Stream

Drivers honked at more than 100 Christians as they marched from Elmont to Valley Stream on Saturday, praying for a safe return to school along the way.

The march was led by Pastor Sunny Philip, of the Gateway Christian Center in Valley Stream, who explained that he organized the march with other local church officials to pray that students, teachers, and workers are protected from the coronavirus pandemic once schools reopen in September.

“It’s not a political movement,” said Emmanuel Asse, who manages the church’s public relations. “We need prayer for the community.”

The march started in front of Elmont Memorial High School and went to Dutch Broadway Elementary School. From there, the group stopped at the Fifth Precinct to pray for police officers’ safety, before continuing to Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School and Valley Stream Central High School.