FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2004
Contact: Ava Harrison
Communications Director, ROOT Inc.
202-332-1642
AvaHarrison@rootinc.org
A PARK MORTON CHRISTMAS STORY
Bowen YMCA Marching Band Lead Residents in March Against Senseless Violence and
for Community Restoration
WHO:The Park Morton Resident Council, ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together)
Inc., and The Alliance of Concerned Men; Council Members Jim Graham, Ward 1, and
Adrian Fenty, Ward 4; Michael Kelly, Director, DC Housing Authority; local
merchants, community organizations, community residents, and Park Morton youth.
WHAT:The Anthony Bowen YMCA Tigers Marching Band will lead participants and
concerned residents taking a stand against senseless violence, and homicides,
for “Guns Aside,” and for community restoration through the Park Morton
Community.
The march will precede the activities for “A Christmas Story in Park Morton.”
Festivities will include Guns Aside Rally, T Shirt Give Away and Guns Aside
Pledge; essay contests, poetry contests, and drawing contests for children of
Park Morton, with winners receiving savings bonds and gift certificates. Also a
family will receive a free holiday shopping spree courtesy of the Alliance of
Concerned Men and Giant Food Store.
A Christmas Story (and party), complete with bands and carolers and part of the
Annual 12 days of Christmas campaign, will take place inside the Capitol City
Pavilion.
WHERE: Participants will begin gathering at 12:30 PM on Lamont Road and Warder
St. The band, complete with police escort, will lead the cavalcade on a march
filled with Christmas revelry through the Park Morton community ending at
Capitol City Pavilion, 3401 Georgia Ave, NW.
Festivities, facilitated by youth affected by violence and homicide from Park
Morton, will take place inside the Capitol City Pavilion beginning at 1 PM.
WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 2004 from 1pm to 4pm.
WHY: In the past, Park Morton and its residents have been plagued, as many parts
of this city, by senseless violence, homicides, and gunfire. The community
wishes to rise to the occasion, and celebrate the beginning of a new awakening
and awareness, during this holiday season. Park Morton and its residents will
to reach out to the surrounding community, as well as to the entire city, to
collaborate together in the spirit of the season during this festive occasion
and say no more to senseless violence, unnecessary homicides, and to “Guns
Aside”.
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