USA Community Takes a Stand in Annual March Against Drugs and Violence

Naomi MacMurdie

July 14, 2024

A group of people in orange T-shirts walk on a sidewalk during the Annual March. A woman pushes a double stroller with two children as they advocate against drugs and violence. Trees and a building are visible in the background, capturing a moment of unity within the USA community.

Hundreds march in Billings, Montana for the 25th annual March Against Drugs and Violence.

The annual March Against Drugs and Violence began 25 years ago when a father, alarmed by the drug needles he picked up on a daily basis, decided to take a stand and start bringing healing to a community plagued by a sickness affecting so many other United States cities small and large.

A person speaks into a microphone on stage during a community event, standing under a tent with a

Michael Yakawich welcoming marchers.

Michael Yakawich, the founder of the march and a director for Global Peace Foundation (GPF) in Montana, has advocated against drug abuse and violence for decades in the city of Billings. Literally dodging bullets, he knows the importance of a whole community coming together to reject violence and support those struggling with drug addiction to transform families and communities.

A person in an orange shirt speaks into a microphone under a blue canopy at the USA Community's Annual March. A banner reads

Member of the Crow Nation performs smudging ceremony.

On July 13, 2024, more than 300 people gathered on the Billings courthouse lawn for the 25th annual March Against Drugs and Violence (MADV). Speakers included State of Montana government representatives, Billings City Council, faith leaders, and a Native American tribal leader from the Crow Nation who conducted a smudging—a prayer and healing practice.

Two women who battled with drug addiction and who are more than a year sober shared their incredible stories of torment and hope. People who attend the event annually say the speeches given every year by different recovering addicts are the highlight of the program. By being vulnerable and sharing their story—despite the shame, stigma, or heartbreak—these speakers are touching lives and giving hope to people suffering from addiction and their families who are desperate to save them.

A group of people in orange shirts stand outside around a large handwritten sign, participating in the Annual March against drugs and violence. A man on the right speaks to them while holding a microphone. Trees and a blue canopy are in the background.

At the Annual March, people gathered under bright sunlight, distributing and receiving orange t-shirts from a table, promoting unity within the USA Community.

The crowd of over 300 marched together in downtown Billings, spreading awareness and words of support for the plight of drug addiction and violence, and encouraging people to join the movement.

In 25 years, the event has grown far beyond a father holding a sign and marching with his children in a small red wagon. Now, dozens of prominent organizations have joined hands and drawn hundreds of people from all backgrounds to spread information on preventing drugs from getting into the wrong hands, leading people facing addiction into support centers, and educating the community on the signs to look for in family members who are at risk.

A woman in a red dress speaks into a microphone under a blue canopy at an outdoor event, part of the Annual March for the USA Community. People wearing orange shirts are gathered around, with trees and a building in the background.

A woman in recovery expresses gratitude to the community and shares her inspiring story.

“It’s the community who is saying to me, we’ve got to keep it going,” Yakawich said. And not only they’re saying that, they’re pitching in. They’re donating and they’re supporting the event. And so 25 years later, I’m so encouraged by the outpouring. It used to be my event. Now it’s our event.”

MADV 2024 was made possible by Global Peace Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Yellowstone County, Tumbleweed, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Rimrock Foundation, Elks USA, Step, Family Tree Nurturing Center, Alternatives Inc., Black Heritage Foundation, Friendship House of Christian Service, Mental Health Center, Billings Public Schools, Upstream Strategy Partners, Friedel Clinic, Indigenous Education, Billings Public Schools, and Yellowstone County DUI task force among many generous individual donors.