Annual week of non- violence includes 16 U.S. and global cities
Special to the Outlook
Trice Edney News Wire
Civic leaders in the U.S. and overseas are helping to launch the 4th Annual 2016 Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities, Oct. 15-23, sponsored by Black Women for Positive Change (BW4PC) and the Positive Change Foundation.
“Over the past three years, we have organized events in 10 U.S. Cities and the United Kingdom, to promote violence prevention among youth, adults and law enforcement. This year we are pleased to see the network of cities expand to 16 cities to promote awareness of violence prevention,” said Dr. Stephanie E. Myers and Virginia Delegate Daun S. Hester, National Co-Chairs of Black Women for Positive Change, in a joint statement. “Our goal is to ‘Change the Culture of Violence in America, and the World’ and we invite people of all backgrounds, religions and ethnicities to organize local events in their cities. Everyone must work together to help youth and adults learn how to resolve conflicts and manage their anger without violence.”
The National Co-Chair for the 2016 Week of Non-Violence is Kevin Judd, Esq.. President of the National Bar Association. National partners are the National Black Nurses Association; National Bar Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) and Church of God in Christ, Inc. Elected officials supporting the 2016 Week of Non-Violence include: Congressman Elijah Cummings, MD; Congressman John Lewis, GA; Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton,WDC; Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, Pittsburgh, PA; and former Alexandria, Virginia, Mayor William Euille.
As of August 2016, organizations in the following cities are planning local, or on-line events including Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles, Washington, DC; Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore, St. Louis, Albuquerque, Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Houston, Hampton Roads, Va.; London, UK; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Pretoria and Johannesburg, South Africa.
“Since 2013, we have reached over 180,000 individuals directly at faith institutions, civic events, schools, youth clubs and through the media with violence prevention messages,” said Karen Carrington and Bernadette Tolson, Co-Chairs of BW4PC Media and Events, in a joint statement. “We encourage more cities to organize non-violence activities to help build trust between youth and law enforcement, and to help youth with anger management, stopping bullying and other forms of conflicts.”
Organizations desiring to join the 2016 Week of Non-Violence movement can sign up at: www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org or email Bkwomen4poschange@gmail.com.
