PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The CEO of ODUNDE, the nation's largest African American cultural festival, says everyone should feel safe coming to this weekend's festivities in Philadelphia.
"Don't be scared. ODUNDE has always been a peaceful event," said Oshunbui Fernandez-West, who serves as CEO of the event which was created by her mother, Lois Fernandez, in 1975.
"During that time, there were a lot of gang wars going on here in Philadelphia," she said, telling the story of some people who were skeptical about holding the first ODUNDE (Festival.)
"When my mother created ODUNDE, people were like, 'Are you sure there's not going to be a problem?' And there were none for 47 years," she said.
But on Saturday, a mass shooting claimed the lives of three people and wounded 11 others.
It happened on South Street, about 1.5 miles from where ODUNDE will be take place.
Organizers assure the public that the ODUNDE Festival will remain a peaceful event. "We've been planning for this event way ahead of time, and we do have units in place in case we need to increase our presence," said Deputy Commissioner Joel Dales of the Philadelphia Police Department.
Philadelphia police won't be the only security on-hand for the festival Sunday.
"We have a private security firm that's also going to be here. But we've always had those protocols in place," said Fernandez-West.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, "We have never had a problem at Odunde."
Organizers look to calm worries over safety ahead of annual ODUNDE Festival
Over-Under on the event body count?
You can bet the bangers will get it on, if not at the event proper then just outside were the security isn't.
"Don't be scared. ODUNDE has always been a peaceful event," said Oshunbui Fernandez-West, who serves as CEO of the event which was created by her mother, Lois Fernandez, in 1975.
"During that time, there were a lot of gang wars going on here in Philadelphia," she said, telling the story of some people who were skeptical about holding the first ODUNDE (Festival.)
"When my mother created ODUNDE, people were like, 'Are you sure there's not going to be a problem?' And there were none for 47 years," she said.
But on Saturday, a mass shooting claimed the lives of three people and wounded 11 others.
It happened on South Street, about 1.5 miles from where ODUNDE will be take place.
Organizers assure the public that the ODUNDE Festival will remain a peaceful event. "We've been planning for this event way ahead of time, and we do have units in place in case we need to increase our presence," said Deputy Commissioner Joel Dales of the Philadelphia Police Department.
Philadelphia police won't be the only security on-hand for the festival Sunday.
"We have a private security firm that's also going to be here. But we've always had those protocols in place," said Fernandez-West.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, "We have never had a problem at Odunde."
Organizers look to calm worries over safety ahead of annual ODUNDE Festival
Over-Under on the event body count?
You can bet the bangers will get it on, if not at the event proper then just outside were the security isn't.
