PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE CITYWIDE GUNS ASIDE CAMPAIGN ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11, 2006 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

CITY COUNCIL DECLARES JANUARY 2006 GUNS ASIDE MONTH

The D.C.’s City Council presented a resolution to proclaim the month of January “Guns Aside Month� in the District of Columbia introduced by Council Member Adrian Fenty (Ward-4). Guns Aside is an initiative under the auspices of ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together), Inc. to directly address the epidemic of gun violence occurring in our city and throughout the nation.

WHO: Reaching Out to Others Together (ROOT), Inc.; the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); Chief Charles Ramsey; City Council Members; Marion Barry (former Mayor and Council Member); DC United; the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Birthday Celebration Committee; Dr. Gregg Pane (Director of DC Department of Health); Dr. Walter Faggett (DC Medical Examiner); Howard University Trama Unit; Edward Reiskin (Deputy Mayor of Public Safety); Brenda Donald-Walker (Deputy Mayor Children, Youth and Elders); Vincent Schiraldi (Director, DC Youth Rehabilitation Services); Washington Sports and Entertainment (Washington Wizards), Push Media & Marketing; Radio One (WKYS), BET, WPFW and the Lincoln Theater. Special Guest: Jive Records Recording Artist Raheem DeVaughn (from DC area and a favorite among the youth).

Special Announcement from John Gillis (Director of the Office of Victim Services, US Department of Justice) that they will partner with ROOT and NOBLE for the Local and National "Guns Aside" Campaign.

WHAT: In recognition of Guns Aside Month, a press conference will be held at the National Press Club to announce activities occurring throughout the month for the proactive campaign in an effort to reduce gun violence as well as discuss future endeavors.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 11, 2006, 10:00 a.m., The National Press Club (Zenger Room)

WHY: The District is currently under a state of emergency due to the recent 11% increase in gun-related incidents and with the recent brutal murders of two teenagers including former Council Member Sandy Allen's grandson and with recent armed robbery of former Mayor and Ward 8 council member Marion Barry. The "Guns Aside" campaign is a collaborative effort between the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and Reaching Out to Others Together (ROOT) designed to educate, inform, and evoke action against gun violence within the Metropolitan communities. Awareness of gun violence and its severity among the Nation’s capital will be heightened as a result of this compelling campaign. The mission is to reduce homicide, suicide, and genocide as the results of gun violence common in young people ages 11 to 25 as well as the overall population in general. The ultimate goal is to reduce incidents of gun violence and homicides by increasing putting guns aside. Celebrities, Politicians, Law Enforcement and Community Leaders will join forces to support the campaign. A National "Guns Aside" Campaign that begins in March will also be announced.

Press Info: Priscilla Clarke (pclarkepr@aol.com) Clarke & Associates @ Tel. 202-723-2200 or visit www.clarkepr.com ROOT Info: ROOT, Inc. at 202-332-7668 or visit www.rootinc.org