ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together), Inc.
Office (202)
332-ROOT/Toll Free (866) 570-ROOT/Fax (202) 332-8250
“Too many lives are being lost; too many
victims injured, and too many communities are being held hostage to this
systemic and endemic tide of violence.
As a government, and as a community, we must begin to offer proactive,
rather than reactive, alternatives.”
-Kenneth
E. Barnes, Sr., MS
UNPRECEDENTED NATIONAL COALITION CONSISTING OF THE NATIONAL
ORGANIZATION OF BLACK LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVES (NOBLE), ROOT INC., THE HIP
HOP CAUCUS INSTITUTE, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, MENTAL
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, CLERGY, CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS, ET AL
Coalition Call on Congress to Convene
Emergency Hearings As Increasing Incidents of Violence Plague Communities
Throughout
PRESS
CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
14TH &
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 23, 20006
10 AM
District of Columbia Department of
Health to Present Findings from Research that Indicate Youth Affected by Gun
Violence and Homicide Are Not Receiving Proper intervention to Address
These Issues
RALLY
TO BE HELD AT
13TH &
SUNDAY,
AUGUST 27, 20006
10 AM – 6PM
Since May 1 ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together) Inc. has been collecting signatures from residents of the District as part of its proactive campaign to reduce gun violence, incidents of youth violence, and homicides and get community involvement. To date ROOT’s staff has collected over 7,000 signatures towards its goal of 10,000 signatures by September 1.
In addition, ROOT has received the unconditional endorsement of the prestigious National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and the support of several senior level congressional staffers in its efforts to develop both a local and a national cohesive campaign to reduce gun violence.
In an effort to address the issues of public safety and gun violence affecting the District of Columbia, all mayoral, council chair, and council at large candidates will be invited to Freedom Plaza on August 27 from 10 am until 6 pm to a “Rally for Public Safety and Against Gun Violence,” At the rally, all candidates campaigning for citywide office will have perhaps their last opportunity to state to the general public about how each would address the public’s concerns about public safety and gun violence if elected, prior to the September elections.
Also on this 38th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s March on Washington, we will be calling on Congress to take action against this epidemic of gun violence plaguing cities and communities throughout America.
Invited to be keynote speakers are Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC and Congressman Albert Wynn, D-MD.
We ask for your support as we address these systemic and endemic issues facing us all. Organizations, agencies, clergy, or individuals who wish to become involved please contact Ava Harrison or Dawn Butcher, 202 332-ROOT, 1 866-570-ROOT
Media Contact: Priscilla Clarke, Clarke &
Associates, pclarkepr@aol.com,
202 723.2200.
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