ROOT
(Reaching
Out To
Others Together)
WHAT IS BEING DONE
TO STEM THE TIDE OF VIOLENCE
WITHIN
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA?
Recent
statistics have shown that the District of Columbia is experiencing
continuing violence and homicide. 262 homicides occurred in 2002, 248 in 2003,
and 77 homicides to date. Of the 77 homicides to date, 44 are under the age
of 25, and 13 of the 44 are under the age of 18.
ROOT
(Reaching Out to Others Together), Inc., is committed to advocacy, education
and intervention on behalf of individuals and families who have been
victimized by homicides. ROOT’s mission is to bring visibility and to
focus community and organizational resources on homicides on behalf of
families, while addressing the ROOT causes of the systemic apathy that
fosters a culture of violence in our communities, today.
If
you believe in ROOT’s mission and want to help stem the tide of violence and
begin to put an end to the tragic cycle of senseless homicides, then we
urge you to set aside the date and join us for a press conference on June 17 at
10 am at the National Press Club, 529
14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20045, announcing our annual Father’s Day
Commemoration activities.
ROOT will be joined by a multitude of organizations, including Cease Fire
Don’t Smoke the Brothers, Survivors of Homicide, No Murders DC, Parents of
Murdered Children, DC Chapter, The Holy Christian Ministry Baptist Church for
All People Homicide Ministry, The National Alliance for Change, Clergy Police
Community Partnership, Inner Thoughts, Slam Your Stress, numerous other
organizations and individuals, as well as family members of victims, youth,
celebrities, sports figures, politicians, religious leaders, and community
activists. We collectively will
seek a Moratorium Against Murders in honor of slain homicide victims and
their family members.
ROOT
will announce an alliance with Russell Simmons, Hip-Hop Summit Action Network
and Rev. Lennox Yearwood, National Grassroots Marketing Director, to begin
efforts to launch the biggest voter registration campaign ever in the District
of Columbia.
ROOT
will also launch, in collaboration with the Twenty First Century Group, the
first major orchestrated campaign against gun violence targeted
specifically towards the urban environment and our community – Guns
Aside.
WHAT CAN YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION DO TO HELP STEM THE TIDE OF VIOLENCE?
Open
Space Working Seminar at the University of the District of Columbia – 8:30 AM
– 1 PM
John
L. Johnson, Ed.D, Convener
CURRENT
DYNAMICS OF MURDER AND VIOLENCE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
When:
Friday, June 18, 2004
8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Where:
University of the District of Columbia
Van Ness Campus, Bldg. 38, Student Lounge
Sponsored
by: Reaching Out to Others Together (ROOT),
The University of the District of Columbia
and
The
National Alliance for Change
As we all know, murder and violence continues at high rates in the District of Columbia. Violence takes place in all communities, within all age groups and across gender and racial boundaries. We also experience the effect of state-sanctioned violence and the mainstream media's reinforcement of the violent status quo and the normalization of violence in our lives.
This
gathering is for individual citizens or representatives of projects,
organizations, churches, mosques, synagogues, government agencies, et al who are
concerned about the violent trend in the District and who want to play a
positive role in changing the status quo. The discussion is also for
people who know from personal experience that we need a deeper understanding of
the meaning and purposes of violence and murder in DC and who wish to consider
the often hidden institutional and community violence and threats of violence
that are taking place.
Many
organizations, often with projects and funding, try to abate violence and murder
and the results of these acts of violation. Over the years, many types of
solutions have been offered, but the major challenge remains. Leadership
development, advocacy, community forums, crisis intervention, and peace and
nonviolent campaigns have been engaged, yet we require new insights, ideas and
more importantly encouragement and sustainable change.
We
will use the Open Space format for this gathering. In Open Space,
participants are invited to propose subjects or questions that they want the
group to address. When we have collectively created an agenda, individuals
will organize and form small group discussions that interest them. The results
of the gathering will include:
A written record of proceedings that contains notes of the many small group discussions.
A booklet
of proceedings will be available to participants and interested others.
New contacts and resources to help our projects and programs.
Deepened relationships among people who share common interests and
commitments.
The possible emergence of new and exciting initiatives.
In
order to give and receive full value of the gathering, participants should plan
to attend for the entire session from beginning to end. Space is limited
to 50 persons. We encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. A
registration form is enclosed. For further information you may contact Sam
Newman (logistics coordinator) at samuelnewman@mybluelight.com
We
hope you decide to attend Current Dynamics of Violence and Murder in the
District of Columbia.
This
summit is a part of ROOT’s 2nd Annual Father's Day Commemoration for Homicide
Victims and Families which will be held Friday, June 18, 2004 through Sunday,
June 20, 2004.
John
L. Johnson, Ed.D., Convenor
CURRENT
DYNAMICS OF MURDER AND VIOLENCE
IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
REGISTRATION
FORM
Name:
______________________________________________________________
Organization (if applicable):
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Zip:
___________________
Telephone:
________________________________________
E-mail: (and website, if applicable):
______________________________________________________________
Please
attach Organizational profile or Individual Bio (if possible)
Space is limited to 50, so we encourage you to decide quickly and send this completed form by Friday, May 29 to:
Sam Newman at
Fax:
301-362-1930