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11/10/2009 New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Education Fund Benefit Please join us for our annual benefit to celebrate another year of work educating communities throughout New York State about successful ways to prevent gun violence. We will be honoring State Assembly Member Michelle Schimel with the Allard K. Lowenstein Award for PUblic Serive for her many years of tireless dedication as a board member of NYAGV and to her many efforts in educating communities about ways to reduce gun violence. We will also be honoring Chief John P. Grebert, Executive Director of the New York State Chiefs of Police, Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey of the Nassau County Police Department, Chief John Aresta of the Malverne Police Department and President James Carver of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association with 2009 Outstanding Law Enforcement Awards. New York City Fire Museum 278 Spring Street, between Varick and Hudson Streets Tuesday November 10th 6:30 to 9:00 PM Light fare, drinks, live music, silent auction Feel free to contact us for more details at 212-679-2345 or send us an email at nyagv@nyagv.org 8/13/2009 Harlem Youth Town Hall Meeting New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Education Fund and American Friends Service Committee working together through the 'Campaign to Reduce the Demand for Illegal Weapons' hosted a Harlem Youth Town Hall Meeting. The meeting was a great success bringing together more than 50 young people from across Harlem who voiced their concerns about gun violence to elected officials and other community providers. Young people were the experts on issues of gun violence, and took the lead in the discussion with their electives expressing their concern of not feeling safe in their community, the easy access to guns and the lack of job opportunities.
Through generous support from the New York Community Trust 's Drexel Burnham Lambert Fund, Lucy Wortham James Memorial Fund and Golda and Mollie Fine Fund, NYAGV Ed Fund and American Friends Service Committee have continued our work with young people in Brooklyn. The collaborative mural depicted below is the result of the genius of artists, talent and dedication of students, support of neighborhood non profits, and educational opportunities for youth provided by the NY Community Trust Grant. The Groundswell Mural Project enabled the talented artists and students of Groundswell Mural Project to join with young people from Assemblyman Kareem Camera's Youth Council and learn from the experience of victims of gun violence, neighborhood police officers and AFSC and NYAGV gun violence prevention work. The resulting artistic story is a one hundred foot long mural depicting the illegal gun trade -the history and the journey of illegal weapons from straw sales in other states to the streets of New York. The mural is located across from the Brooklyn Children's Museum at 960 Prospect Place, Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Go see it for yourself!
5/9/2009NYAGV Education Fund-Bronx 4th Annual Mother's Day Eve Rally New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Education Fund, hundreds of advocates and community members marched to Remember the Fallen Angels who have died because of gun violence. Every year Mother's Day is painful for the many mothers who have suffered the ultimate tragedy of losing a child to gun violence. New Yorkers Against Gun Violence supports these mothers and families by sponsoring the Walk Against Gun Violence at the corner of 139th Street and Brook Avenue (Saw Mill Park). We were joined at our press conference by the newly elected Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, as well as City Council Members Melissa Mark Viverito and Maria Carmen del Arroyo. Later in the day there was a street fair with entertainment and jumping castles for the children of the neighborhood.Cheers and thanks to Gloria Cruz, our Bronx Chapter Chair who organized this whole day and all the events-Gloria's work in the commiunity makes all of this possible!
5/9/2009 NYAGV Education Fund -Harlem Mother's Day Eve Rally New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Education Fund and American Friends Service Committee joined mothers and families on Saturday May 9th to remember mothers who have lost children to gun violence. Harlem Unites for Peace was also a street fair with music and performers who could be found on West 126th Street. Community members gathered with Reverend Vernon Williams, and Mothers of SAVE (Stop Another Violent Event) and other members of the Harlem community for a Lie In to remember the Harlem children killed by gun violence. We were joined later in the day by Congressman Rangel and Assemblyman Farrel among others.
4/29/2009 NYAGV Albany Lobby Day New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Albany Day was an overwhelming success this year with more than 250 young people from around the state joining us to urge Senators and Assembly members to enact sensible gun legislation. Students from Buffalo to the Bronx and 4/26/2009 The 24th Annual Crime Victims Candlelight Vigil New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Education Fund joined hundreds of other victim advocates from around the State at the Crime Victim's Candlelight Vigil at West End Collegiate Church, 368 West End Avenue, New York (77th Street and West End Avenue). The event called "Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Crime Victim's Act, was sponsored by the Office of the New York State Attorney General and the Downstate Coalition for Crime Victims.It is a time for all victims to come together and share healing and memories. It is an event of replenishing and rebirth for victims and family members. 4/16/2009 National Lie In Day and Victims Vigil Every year NYAGV Education Fund and our members join other advocates and victims from around the nation to recognize the thousands of law abiding people who have died because of gun violence. This April 16th we were a part of the National Lie In Day coordinated by Protest Easy Guns to commemorate those students who died at Virginia Tech and on other campuses because of weak gun laws. We were joined by other advocates and victims here in New York City for the day to support and remember victims and their families. Thursday, April 16th, at 12 noon NYAGV Eduction Fund and our members were in Times Square in front of the Marriott Marquis Hotel where we staged our Lie In and read aloud the names of each of the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. Let us not forget the families and the suffering that continues long after the tragedy has been recorded. 11/17/2008 NYAGV Education Fund Benefit Thank you for joining us at the Tribeca Rooftop! More than 320 people celebrated a year of successful gun violence prevention with New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Education Fund. We celebrated the work and commitment of our two honorees, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly who was awarded our Outstanding Law Enforcement Award and Dr. Sheldon Teperman who was awarded the Allard K. Lowenstein award for Public Service. Our honorees' speeches were inspiring and uplifting, and a special thank you to all the nurses, doctors and staff of Jacobi Hospital who have been on the front line of helping gun violence victims for years! We could not do it without you. Also joining us for the evening was Dorothy Samuels a member of the NYTimes Editorial Board who shared her perspective on the national elections and on gun violence. Thanks to all our supporters who joined us for the evening! 8/16/2008 NYAGV Education Fund Eighth Annual Rally Against Gun Violence NYAGV Education Fund joined hundreds of community members to Remember our Loved Ones Lost to Gun Violence, on Saturday August 16th from 12 noon to 8:00 PM at 169th Street and Washington Avenue in the Bronx. There were speakers, youth activities, food, music by DJ Randy from Harlem World Crew, and a 7PM Candlelight Vigil to remember the Fallen Angels.NYAGV would like to commend Bernard Smith who lead this effort in his community for the past eight years. Congratulations to Bernard for all your hard work and good work for your community! 7/24/2008 NYAGV Education Fund Brooklyn Youth Town Hall Meeting New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Education Fund and American Friends Service Committe hosted a Brooklyn Town Hall Meeting. The meeting was a resounding success with more than 60 young people voicing their concerns about gun violence to their elected officials. The Town Hall ignited a lively discussion where young people were the experts on issues of gun violence, and took the lead in the discussion with their representatives. The youth expressed concern over the easy access to guns-more than half the young people present indicated they would easily be able to find a gun. Youth also asked their elected officials for more opportunities for internships and employment to develop skills and work experience. They also asked for more support for after school programs in their high schools and expressed their interest in being part of the solution to gun violence in their communities. 7/19/2008 NYAGV Education Fund Second Annual Jessica N. Santos Memorial Walk and Family Fun Day Remember Jessica N. Santos and help support the Foundation in her name by joining the walk in her honor on Saturday July 19th at 11 am at Patriot's Park on Broadway near the Warner Library in Tarrytown, NY. The Family Fun Day will start at 12 in Pierson Park and continue until 5pm. Food, Music, Entertainment, Carnival, Face Painting, Raffles and More! Fun for all Ages. Call Gisela Marin at 914-469-6265 for more information. Or log on to remembering_jessica@hotmail.com 7/17/2008 NYAGV Education Fund Bronx Youth Town Hall Meeting Youth-Speak out about gun violence! Tell your elected officials how gun violence affects you! Discuss your concerns with other young people from your community. Thessalonica Church, 313 St Ann's Avenue, Bronx, NY 4:30 pm All youth between 13-24 are welcome. Pizza and soda will be served 7/11/2008 NYAGV Education Fund Youth Lie In St. Ann's in the Bronx The one hundred children attending St. Ann's 9th Annual Summer Freedom School plan to march and demonstrate against the ease of obtaining and using guns in the South Bronx on Friday July 11, 2008 at 11:00 am. According to Gloria Cruz, Bronx Chapter Leader of N.Y.A.G.V & Milliom Moms March “The Lie-In is to increase public awareness on the danger of unlicensed guns and guns used to settle arguements”. 6/26/2008 NYAGV Education Fund Harlem Youth Town Hall Meeting NYAGV and American Friends Service Committee working together hosted a Town Hall Meeting for Youth in Harlem at the Senior Housing at 63 West 124th Street. Thanks to Reverend Vernon Williams for the location and support of his ministry. Youth from Harlem including members of the Youth Council of Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito engaged in a serious and lively discussion about gun violence and what could be done to prevent the spread of illegal guns into our communities. NYAGV and AFSC will host two more Town Hall Meetings this summer and two youth summits in the fall to continue the youth discussion adn frame the issues for social action by youth. 5/19/2008 NYAGV Microstamping Demonstration in Albany Advocates joined police officers and prosecutors from around the state at the New York State Police Academy for a slide show and demonstration on the technology of microstamping (A9819A Schimel). Todd Lizotte the co-inventor of the technology joined Josh Horowitz from Coalition to Stop Gun Violence in presenting a slide show and a live fire demonstration using microstaped firing pins. The reliability, accuracy and readablity of the microstamped casings was evident even using firing pins fired in thousands of prior rounds of shooting. Joining the demonstration and voicing support for this new technology were representatives of the Assocation of the State Chiefs of Police Lloyd Perkins and John Greiber. In addition to the Assocaition's support more than 50 individual police departments have stated "Microstamping technology would give law enforcement a tool that will provide evidence to help investigate, arrest, and convict more people who use semi-automatic handguns in crimes". Jim Murphy, President of the New York State District Attorney's Association also joined in supporting microstamping as a law enforcement tool. Mr Murphy described the unanimous support of his organzation and all 62 district attorneys from around New York State for microstamping technology. Two important law enforcement uses for the tool of microstamping are: Help Solve Crimes Microstamping will help to solve crimes where no gun is left on the scene. Stop Straw Purchasers Microstamping will help stop straw purchasers from abusing the law and handing guns over to criminals and other unauthorized users. Both of these goals can be met with microstamping since the microstamped mark on a casing will enable law enforcement to quickly trace the casing back to the semi-automatic pistol that fired it-without having found the weapon. Nationally only about 60% of homicide cases are solved, and in many instances that is because casings on crime scenes (currently without microstamping) are hard to trace to the original gun that fired them. Now with microstamping the casing alone can lead law enforcement to the crime gun. And when a straw purchase has been made it will become more evident as casings are traced back to original sales. Patterns of illegal sales and abuses of gun legislation will be more obvious to investigating officers.The only people who should be afraid of this legislation are people who sell guns illegally and use them in crimes. 5/10/08 NYAGV Education Fund Walk/Rally in the Bronx Families of loved ones slain by illegal guns joined advocates and neighbors at the playground in the Bronx where ten year old Naiesha Pearson was killed by a stray bullet while attending a family picnic on Labor Day 2005. The group included hundreds of students, children and families who chose the Saturday before Mother's Day (May 11th) for a march and rally against gun violence. The large group carried signs, photos and memorabilia to remember sisters, brothers, sons and daughters already fallen because of gun violence. As the group walked through the neighborhood calling attention to the "lost angels" they shouted their hopes for an end to illegal guns. At the 12:00 Press Conference held at the steps of St Ann's Church, NYAGV Executive Director Jackie Hilly called for an end to illegal guns, calling on our federal legislators to close the gun show loophole. She also called on our state representatives especially our Senators to pass the Microstamping bill (A9819A) and the Gun Dealer Responsibility Act (A6525A and S2944B). Mayor Bloomberg sent a letter in support for the families and the work of NYAGV. Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Vivireto and State Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr. spoke to the importance of community action and stopping the flow of illegal guns into New York. Later in the day NYAGV and families devistated by gun violence gathered at 169th street and Washington Avenue to remember Samantha Guzman, a young vibrant, talented and generous person killed by gun violence. The group of familiy members, advocates, neighbors and friends recalled the beauty, intelligence and loving nature of Samantha and called on neighbors to identify her killer(s) to the police. To read more about the rally go to http://www.episcopal-life.org/81803_97048_ENG_HTM.htm Call 718-924-1918 to reach the Bronx Chapter of NYAGV or 212-679-2345 to reach the New York office. 4/28/08 NYAGV Education Fund Bronx Chapter Meeting 6:00PM, St. Ann's Church 139th St. and St. Ann's Ave. Call 718-924-1918 4/16/08 NYAGV Education Fund National Lie-In on Anniversary of Virginia Tech Shootings More than 70 Lie-Ins took place at noon across the country on April 16, 2008 to mark the first anniversary of our nation's deadliest shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University. There were three Lie-Ins in New York City including one in Times Square and two in the Bronx. Victims and advocates and ordinary people gathered to protest gun violence and to remember the 32 young people who died in Virginia. They also joined to mourn all the people who die each day in our country because of lax gun laws and easy access to illegal guns. Advocates called on Congress to close the federal gun show loophole so that felons, terrorists and mentally ill individuals cannot buy weapons. To see photos of the Lie-Ins go www.protesteasyguns.com New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and our Bronx chapter worked with Protest Easy Guns and the New York 32 to bring attention to this important national day of remembrance. 4/14/08 NYAGV Albany Day! Our Albany Day was a great success this year with more than 120 teenagers from around the state visiting their legislators in Albany and advocating for sensible gun laws. Students represented the High School For Public Service (after school reACTION program) and the Grand Street High School Campus both in Brooklyn, the Westchester Junior and Senior Youth Councils and Great Neck South High School. The Gun Dealer Responsibility Act and the Microstamping bill were the focus of the student's conversations with their representatives. The students also asked their representatives to become members of State Legislators Against Illegal Guns and to sign on to the important statement of principles. Assemblyman Sheldon Silver addressed the large lunchtime crowd and later that day the Assembly passed a package of ten bills including the two bills the students worked for. In individual meetings the students had a chance to voice their opinions on how gun violence effects their community and how important sensible gun laws are to their communities.
4/13/08 NYAGV Education Fund Crime Victims' Candlelight Vigil - 23rd Annual , 2:00 - 4:00 PM, West End Collegiate Church (368 West End Ave in NYC at 77th St. and West End Ave). Sponsored by NYS Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo and The Downstate Coalition for Crime Victims (NYAGV is a member of this Coalition). Call 212-679-2345
11/25/07 Bronx Chapter Thanksgiving Dinner for Families of Children Killed by Gunfire
11/05/07 NYAGV Educational Fund Benefit/Silent Auction 6:30 - 9:00 PM at Tribeca Rooftop Special Guest: NY Daily News Columnist Michael Daly
4/25/07 NYAGV Albany Day! Nearly 150 activists gathered to watch the NYState Assembly pass nine pieces of progressive gun-related legislation. Attendees then met with State Senators to urge similar action. Even if you missed the big day you can still help! Call your State Senator and tell them to pass NYAGV priority bills including: the Gun Dealer Bill S 2404 and the bill that requires law enforcement use of state ballistic databanks S 3009. You can find your state senator at www.senate.state.ny.us
11/17/06
NYAGV Education Fund Benefit/Silent Auction
9/13/06 Opening - Illegal Gun Museum of Death, Mitchell Community Center in the Bronx. 1PM, call 718-292-0619. ************* |
Brooklyn joined other students from Albany and Harlem to talk to their legislators about gun violence in their communities. The students performed poems and songs about gun violence and the pain communities suffer because of lax gun laws. They read statements of concern and talked about other young people in their communities who have died because of illegal weapons flooding New York's streets. It was a day of advocacay not to be missed and an opportunity to for students from around the state to talk to eachother and hear concerns from other communities. 
