STUDENTS AT CHARLES HART MIDDLE SCHOOL IN SOUTHEAST, DC RALLY FOR GUNS ASIDE AND AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE IN SUPPORT OF PEACE MONTH AND NATIONAL DAY OF CONCERN:

TWO FORMER HART STUDENTS FOUND MURDERED

 

WHO:        ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together), The Calvin Woodland Foundation, The Hart Middle School Marching Band, Students, Principal Willie Bennett, Counselor Ann Brogolio and Faculty in collaboration with WPGC 95.5 (Justine Love and Adimu), East of the River Clergy Police Community Partnership, The Circle of Hope Foundation, The Peaceaholics, The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, DC,  Concerned Black Men, Inc, DC Safe Schools and Community Coalition, MUMS (Mothers of Unsolved Murders) and The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

 

Invited participants include:             

·        Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

·        Marion Barry, Councilmember, Ward 8

·        Adrian Fenty, Councilmember Ward 4

·        Kwame Brown. Councilmember, At Large

·        Vincent Gray, Councilmember, Ward 7

·        Dr. Clifford B. Janey, Superintendent of DCPS

·        Dr. William Pollard, President, University of the District of Columbia

·        Ed Reiskin, Deputy Mayor, Public Safety

·        Police Chief Charles Ramsey

·        Dr. Greg Pane, Director, Department of Health

·        Kenneth L. Weinstein, US Attorney for District of Columbia

·        Darius Stanton, Regional Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington

·        Joel Maupin, Commander 7th District, MPD

·        Rev. Donald Isaac, Exec. Director, East of the River Clergy, Police Community Partnership

·        William Lockridge, DC Board of Education Member, District IV

·        Sir Reigns, Spoken Word Artist

·        Dr. John Wilson

 

WHAT:            October is Peace Month.  As part of this month-long effort, all 

students in the District of Columbia are asked to take a stand against gun violence.  In recognition of this national observance to prevent Gun Violence, ROOT will hold the second annual Guns Aside Day and rally at Hart Middle School. Hart students affected by gun violence and homicide will lead the assembly.  Special prizes will be given to students who write the best essays about how their lives have been impacted by gun violence, and the Hart Middle School Marching Band will entertain the students.  In addition to reciting the ROOT/Guns Aside pledge, Students will receive the first GUNS ASIDE wristbands that will be distributed throughout the Metropolitan Washington DC area.

 

WHEN:           Friday, October 21, 2005 @ 9:30 AM

 

WHERE:        Charles Hart Middle School, 601 Mississippi Ave, SE.

                         Washington, DC

 

WHY:            Homicide and violence among youth continues to be of serious concern in our communities and in our schools.  This week, two former Hart Middle School Students, Marcell Merritt and Kevin Jackson, were found dead, victims of gun violence.

                       

                        ROOT working with DC City Council members, led by Marion Barry, Adrian Fenty, Kwame Brown, and Vincent Gray to announce draft of council resolution to take proactive approach in reducing gun violence in our city.

 

Press contact: Priscilla or Don Clarke, Clarke & Associates, LLC – pclarkepr@aol.com

Tel.  202-723-2200 or visit http://www.clarkepr.com/

 

ROOT Contact: Ava Harrison – avaharrison@aol.com

Tel. 202-332-ROOT