ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together), Inc.

News Bulletin

August 20, 2006

Reaching Out to Others Together to get to the ROOT of the problem!                                  Volume 1, Number 1

ROOT

(Reaching Out to Others Together) Inc. advocates and intervenes on behalf homicide victims and their families. ROOT motivates and mobilizes communities to take a proactive approach to reducing homicides and the gun violence occurring in cities.

 

US Senator Carl Levin - Michigan
February 10, 2006

ROOT Introduced on Senate Floor: Make Gun Violence Prevention a Priority                                                                                                                                                      Click above link to read more

ROOT CEO Seeks Congressional Support on National Campaign

 

Dear Congressmember,

 

FACT: Death by gun violence is the number one cause of death for African American males ages 15-34 in the United States of America today. (Derived from the Centers for Disease Control’s Web-based In-jury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS), http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/) 

 

There is an epidemic taking place in America today, virtually being ignored and unattended, and that epidemic is death by gun violence.  As a government and as a nation, while we take a proactive approach and develop a cohesive strategy to deal with perhaps an  impending calamity brought about by bird flu, headlines throughout America daily tell of the epidemic of gun violence.

 

Nationally, we face a disturbing increase in violent crimes committed by American juveniles, and an alarming rise in abuse, neglect, and gun violence perpetuated against this country's youth and within urban communities.  Furthermore, the problems of homicides and gun violence are both systemic and epidemic. All systems -family, education and government are failing to meet the needs of victims of homicides and the needs of youth in our community affected by gun violence and homicide. More and more we are faced with individuals who do not value the life of another human being and having this type of mindset glorified in music and videos.

 

In January of this year, by unanimous vote, the city council of the District of Columbia declared January Guns Aside month, recognizing the efforts of our campaign to reduce gun violence.  A press conference was held at the National Press Club declaring a public health state of emergency existing in the District of Columbia due to increased incidents of gun violence, youth violence, and homicide. 

 

Though held in the District of Columbia, this declaration could be made and press conference held in almost any major urban city within the United States of America.

 

In July of this year at the annual convention of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the incoming president, Jimmy L. Dotson, during his acceptance speech declared as NOBLE’s top priority to address ever increasing incidents of youth violence, gun violence, and homicides facing our cities and communities across America.  He put a clarion call out to NOBLE chapters throughout America to collaborate with ROOT in a National Campaign to address this crisis.

 

We are now calling on Congress to do the same. 

 

On Wednesday August 23, 10 AM, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, The National Organization of Black law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and the Hip Hop Caucus Institute in collaboration with ROOT (Reaching Out To Others Together), Inc will gather an unprecedented national coalition of community leaders, mental health professionals, congressional staffers, clergy, et al., to call on Congress to convene emergency hearings and to address the epidemic of violence plagued communities throughout America.

 

We seek your support as we call on Congress; we ask that you join with us at the press conference on August 23 to announce our intentions; we seek your support and the support of the Congressional Black Caucus as we carry this message and this campaign nationwide. 

 

More importantly, however, we ask for your support and assistance as we call on Congress to convene hearings to address the epidemic of gun violence, as we call on Congress to work with us to convene a series of Town Hall meetings in the most violence plagued cities throughout America, and as we call on Congress to work with us as we develop a local and national cohesive campaign, similar to Mothers Against Gun Driving, to attack this epidemic seemingly imbedded within cities and communities throughout America.

 

As a nation and as a community, we have to move from the rhetoric generated after horrific tragedies and develop a comprehensive proactive strategy that supports the victims of homicide, recognizes the trauma of youth, families, and communities affected by gun violence, and homicide, and encourages youth and communities to set Guns Aside.

 

We would be indeed honored to discuss further how we can be of assistance to one another in an effort to end the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our cities, our communities, our families, our neighborhoods, and our youth.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr., MS

Founder & CEO

ROOT Inc.

         

 

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 America

 

 

PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

14TH & F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20045

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 20006

10 AM

 

 

ROOT Inc. 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 FREEDOM PLAZA

13TH & PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC

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.

 

Petition to Rid Our Community of Gun Violence

 

Petition summary and background

Since the year 2000 there have been over 1,000 murders, as a direct result of gun violence in Washington, DC. ROOT Inc. urges communities to ban together in a movement to end this senseless violence and make public officials accountable to this epidemic. The toll on communities affected by Gun Violence has an everlasting effect on its citizens, not just with the numbers lost to homicides but by the devastating emotional impact on the community as a whole.   

Guns Aside Pledge

There is homicide and violence all around me. Neither my family nor my friends are safe any more. The welfare and safety of my family and friends are my number one concern. I have decided to take action myself.  I pledge GUNS ASIDE.

Action petitioned for

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to make gun violence a priority and to direct the necessary resources to support efforts designed to stop the incidents of gun violence in our communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vote for Kenny Barnes for Volvo for Life Awards

 

I am both proud and honored to be a semifinalist in the category of Public Safety for the Volvo for Life Award - http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/cgi-bin/iowa/english/home/index.html.

 

For 2004, I was selected as a semifinalist nationally and received a plaque in recognition.

 

This year, 5 recipients from each state in the US have been selected to receive an award, and whomever receives the most votes online is selected as winners.

 

I have been selected as one of the 5 finalists representing Washington, DC.

 

I would appreciate your vote and passing to as many people as you know.  The winner receives a Volvo for life, but, more importantly a $50,000 donation to the charity of his/her choice.

 

I would sincerely appreciate your support.

 

Kenny Barnes

 

VOTE KENNY BARNES FOR VOLVO FOR LIFE AWARD
CLICK DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ON MAP

 

In July ROOT Inc. attended the 30th Annual Convention of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, NOBLE and Inaugural Address of NOBLE President Jimmie L. Dotson Mentions the partnership between ROOT Inc. and NOBLE on a national campaign to reduce gun violence.

Back To the Basics: The NOBLE Way

Click above link to read more

 

Annie Armen Productions Presents
ANNIE ARMEN LIVE Talk Radio (AAL)
"Your Radio Voice for the Voiceless Worldwide!"

TopicInvestigating ROOT Causes of Today's Homicides by Gun Violence -- EXCLUSIVE

Annie Armen LIVE Interview and Special Tribute to Kenneth E. Barnes, Jr. (son of Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr.) who was shot to death on September 24, 2001, at 37 years of age.

Annie Armen Live (AAL) Talk Radio
Click above link to hear

AnnieBiotics
ä Outreach SERIES Beat 26 -- Aired 07/27/06

 

Civil Arts Radio 6/25/06 Q&A with ROOT Inc. Founder/CEO Kenneth E. Barnes Sr.

Click above link to hear

 

 

ROOT Inc and the Calvin Woodland Foundation had a successful 5th Annual Father’s Day Commemoration and Ceremonies

The pictures tell the story

Click above link to view

ROOT Inc. in the NEWS

The Washington Informer
Thursday, January 12, 2006

Turning Anger into Action: Parents of Homicide Victims Seek Solutions                                                                                    Click above link to read more

American Observer
April 26, 2006

Father Takes Up Fallen Son's Cause U Street store is memorial to victims of violence

Click above link to read more

Gun Violence in the NEWS

 

The Washington Post
Sunday, August 13, 2006; B01

 

The Neighborhood War Zone

Click above link to read more

 

The Washington Times

July 21,2006

City Crime Wave or Public Health Emergency

Click above link to read more

 

Philadelphia Weekly

August, 2006

 

Power Outage: In the face of Philly’s crisis, the mayor’s message lacks energy

Click above link to read more

 

The National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice has published a series of research and program briefs on issues related to youth with mental health needs in contact with the juvenile justice system.

 

Briefs Discuss Mental Health Needs of Youth Involved with Juvenile Justice

Click above link to read more

 

London, UK Gun Violence News

Telegraph.co.uk

23/07/2006

 

I was just having a night out - you don't expect to end up in a car riddled with bullets
Click above link to read more

Operation Trident                                                                                                                                                                         Click above link to read more

Stop the Guns                                                                                                                                                                                Click above link to read more

 

Gun Violence in Poetry

 

I Kicked a Bullet

I kicked a bullet the other day on my way to school

I used to hear about a game called "Kick the Can"

That's what my dad did before he grew up to be a man

So, since I'm kicking bullets, Will I grow up???

What kind of stories will my children tell about me?

Will they be proud of who their mother used to be?;

Today, we're not threatened by the men in white sheets

It's our own confused brothers and sistas that are destroying our streets

KKK - We don't need you, Skinheads - Stay home!

We're doing what you couldn't do alone

You don't need your race wars in 1995

At the rate we're going, none of us will be alive

Do you realize young Black men are being killed at a rate of 69.5 per thousand

That is quicker than the rate Hitler exterminated the Jews

There's one big difference, this is self-inflicted

Self inflicted GENOCIDE,

Do you know what that is??? It's SUICIDE

The Black community is committing SUICIDE;

Who Is to blame for this youthful destruction

And from where on earth do they get their instructions

They've got their guns, selling their crack, walking through life

With a target on their backs In a moment of anger, you put a round in the chamber

Walked down the street and took the life of the stranger

You never even spoke, but in a split second

You took his life and his hope

Remember the love that came from your mother's breast

Take that bullet out of your brother's chest;

He's only violent  because he's blind

Through love and education we call take the shackles off his mind

It's a shame, kids can pull a trigger before they know how to ride a bike

Holding hands, not a gun is a vision I would like

Non-violence is what Dr. King would use

Because killing your brother would be the wrong road to choose

We must take communities back

A block at a time,

A house at a time,

All inch at a time,

But most importantly, A mind at a time.

 

Jessica "TORKWASE"Alarcon

               e-mail: torkwase@.aol.com

 

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