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Gun violence opponents see tie-in to Sept. 11 attacks
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Gun violence opponents see tie-in to Sept. 11 attacks By Ofelia CasillasTribune staff reporterPublished October 17, 2001More than 700 pupils, most of them dressed in plaid school uniforms, gathered today in St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Chicago's Southwest Side to observe the sixth-annual Day of National Concern About Young People and Gun Violence.The event, coordinated by the Chicago Police Department in schools around the city, included renditions of "God Bless America" and "Let There Be Peace on Earth" as well as scripture readings, prayers and recognition of parish members who volunteered to go to New York to help the World Trade Center rescue efforts.Pupils signed pledges, vowing to stay away from guns, never resolve disputes with guns and influence friends to also avoid guns.St. Mary Star of the Sea School Principal Evelyn Califfe said, "This year, because of the Sept. 11 disaster, we are including a prayer service to focus in on the idea of being peacemakers and being peaceful and praying for people that have died, not only the victims (but) government officials (and) men and women who are protecting us."Eighth graders Gabby Mikleu, 14, and Matt Okrzesik, 13, said their pledge was their way of responding to the violence of the terrorist attacks, and to keep safe."It protects me," Gabby said of her pledge. "Every single student in school is pledging not to bring a gun to school so you can feel safer at school."Matt agreed, adding he could feel safer walking around his neighborhood with his friends. "We can help prevent kids from being hurt," he said.The annual event originated with the "desire to connect young people against gun violence in a way that was empowering," said Mary Lewis Grow, founder and national coordinator of the Day of National Concern."There is something different this year," Grow said, explaining that she considered canceling the event because of the recent terrorist attacks, but in the end decided to go ahead. Terrorism, she said, "is not unrelated, because it's about senseless violence. One of the reasons why (the event) is more important than ever is because there's been a national sense of helplessness in the face of violence.""At a time when people feel scared," she said, "there's still a huge portion of our lives over which we do have control." Copyright c 2001, Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0111017service.story?coll=chi-newslocal-hed
Comments
I'M PRO CHOICE! I CHOOSE to hunt, trap, eat meat and wear fur!![This message has been edited by Free N TX (edited 10-19-2001).]