Members of a Brooklyn community will gather against gun violence this weekend. HannahKliger reports.
show a 31.4% drop in shooting incidents between April 2023 and 2022, with the police department claiming to make historic numbers of gun arrests. And yet, activists say gun violence still has a destructive and long-lasting effect on our communities.
"A lot of us have people who have died from gun violence. A lot of us have been to many funerals that have to do with gun violence," Miranda Irizarry, member of My Brother's & Sister's Keeper Youth Council, said. , with the aim to create a platform for young people that amplifies their voices. "The biggest message that we are trying to put across is that young people should be a part of the conversation. A lot of these decisions about gun violence, the laws, the requirements, they're being made by older people or people who have already lived it or experienced it, but we are the ones who are in it right now," Aailiah Deabru, a member of the council, said. This Saturday afternoon at Highland Park in Cypress Hills, these young people will be joined by leaders at education non-profit I WILL GRADUATE, a youth development program which encourages students to pledge to finish their education and set up a path for success in life. "No one person or one group or organization can do it alone. Police department definitely can't do it alone," Tonya Lewis Taylor, founder of I WILL GRADUATE, said. The Brooklyn borough president and other elected officials will be there too, to talk to students about the importance of positive decision making. "Don't be afraid to share your own experiences and your own stories," Kehinde Oladiupo said."Don't feel scared to talk to your elder ones." Arnold Rudd, 20, who founded a boxing non-profit which aims to keep high schoolers engaged and off the streets, said giving young people something to do can be a solution. "The days where you say youth are the future of tomorrow, those days are over. I would say the youth are the future now," Ebube Nwaeme said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Highland Park parents rally for school safety outside school board meetingA group of Highland Park parents are rallying outside a school board meeting, saying the district isn't doing enough to keep their kids safe.
Read more »
Parents fight for increased security at Highland Park High SchoolDuring a rally at Township High School District 113 headquarters, parents demanded metal detectors and additional armed guards.
Read more »
Factions split over metal detectors in Highland ParkSchool security discussions have hit a boiling point in District 113 after last summer's parade shooting and after a student brought a gun to the Highland Park High School in April.
Read more »
Factions split over metal detectors in Highland Park schoolsIntense discussions around school security in Highland Park escalated Tuesday night as Township District 113′s school board meeting drew roughly 20 parents and others calling for the implementation of metal detectors and armed security.
Read more »
Chicago Bears Reveal Surprise for Young Highland Park Shooting SurvivorThe Chicago Bears revealed a special surprise for a boy who survived the Highland Park parade shooting last year on Wednesday, punctuating what was a successful visit to Halas Hall.
Read more »