By Charles Fisher and Randy Fisher @HHSYC
Charles and Randy Fisher attended the Harlem rally for Trayvon Martin conducted by Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E as contributors for The Source and representatives of the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council. In attendance were notables such as City Council Speaker Quinn, Councilman Robert Jackson and Police Chief Secreto.
For immediate release, for info contact RandyF@HHSYC.org or 917-567-9294.
HIP-HOP SUMMIT YOUTH COUNCIL (HHSYC) JOINS HARLEM MOTHERS S.A.V.E, NYC COUNCIL SPEAKER AND MAYORAL CANDIDATE CHRISTINE QUINN, SNUG AND CIVIC ASSOCIATION SERVING HARLEM IN CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY OF TRAYVON MARTIN
Community unites to fight gun violence and change the Stand Your Ground laws
July 31, 2013, New York, NY—In an effort to show support for the family of Trayvon Martin Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E, lead by Co-Founder Jackie Rowe-Adams, sponsored a candlelight vigil in Harlem. The purpose of the event was to pay respect to the Trayvon Martin family for all the pain and suffering that they are experiencing and to keep a focus on the reduction of gun violence in the Harlem community.
Randy and Charles Fisher stand with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn at the Harlem rally for Trayvon Martin and to change the Stand Your Ground Laws
The recent acquittal of George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon has the entire country questioning the Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine Laws that exist in 31 states. Stevie Wonder has pledged to boycott the state of Florida and any state that has the laws on their books. A host of celebrities have also joined Stevie in the boycott but there seems to be some confusion as to who signed on to the cause.
Though George Zimmerman pulled the trigger it was the law that allowed him go free and many around the country are fighting to have that legislation repealed. Here in NYC and all over the country there are many dying from gun violence every day and until we can pass tougher federal gun laws and remove policies like Stand Your Ground from the books our children are subject to the same wrath that left Trayvon dead while returning home from a simple trip to the store.
“We are here today to express our sincerest condolences to Sybrina Fulton, Tracy Martin and Jahvaris Fulton for the pain and suffering that they have encountered over the months. We know what it is like to lose a child to gun violence and we just want the family to know that we stand with them all the way and will help them in their battle to eliminate the laws that allowed the shooter of their son go free. I also want to thank Super Fi Emporium for donating the Arizona ice tea and Skittles to support our event, it meant a lot to us,” stated Jackie Rowe-Adams, Co-Founder, Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E.
“Working with Speaker Quinn and Jackie to reduce gun violence is important to the HHSYC because as a mother that has lost 2 children to gun violence Jackie could have folded a long time ago. To see her and the countless other mothers that she represents out here stepping up to the plate to save lives only inspires me to continue the struggle to get guns off our streets,” stated Randy Fisher, Executive Director, HHSYC.
Speaker Christine Quinn stated “I’m here today to support Jackie and the great work she is doing to fight gun violence in Harlem. And I’m also here to show my respect for the Martin and Fulton families and I commend them for the way they have handled this situation. What happened to Trayvon Martin is a tragedy, but starting today with all of you working with me and the City Council we will stand our ground to protect our youth and seniors and continue to do all we can to take our streets back. As you well know this is not an easy task but if we hit the streets and talk to our youth about the issues, we will be in a better position to save lives, change the Stand Your Ground laws and win the war on gun violence.”
“I love and support Jackie and Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E and their continued efforts to curb gun violence. The community needs to do more to support her work because it is through her efforts and our police department that lives are being saved. Crime is down in NYC thanks to the NYPD, Speaker Quinn, the City Council and organizations like Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E, SNUG and the HHSYC. If we would take the time to police our own community we would not need Stop, Question & Frisk, a policy that we are tweaking with Commissioner Kelly who has given us his undivided attention to make it effective, but yet respectful to those that are approached. If Stop, Question and Frisk was removed from the ‘hood do you really think we would be safer? I’m not willing to take that chance if it means losing another young life,” ended Charles Fisher, Founder, HHSYC.
Pic by Bill Alatriste
ABOUT THE HHSYC
The HHSYC was founded in July 2001 by Charles Fisher (also known as the former manager of LL Cool J, the Lost Boyz and co-discoverer of R. Kelly). The organization was created to help implement commitments made by record companies, artists, community leaders and elected officials at the historic 2001 Hip-Hop Summit in New York City. Participants are taught how to constructively use their time, talent and the Hip-Hop culture to improve social, political and economic conditions in their school, home and community. Randy Fisher is the organization’s Executive Director. For additional information visit www.HHSYC.org.
ABOUT HARLEM MOTHERS S.A.V.E
Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E (Stop Another Violent End) was formed in 2006 by Jackie Rowe-Adams with the support of New York State Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright. They organized in an ultimate goal of preventing another mother from experiencing the agony of losing a child to gun violence. Since that time they have worked tirelessly to embrace community residents and engage local law enforcement agencies, community based organizations, elected officials and the faith-based community to work hand in hand to rid our neighborhoods of gun violence.
Adams utilize the power of the media to bring attention to this issue and to take action to find solutions to the proliferation of illegal guns on the streets of New York City. They appear on local radio and television shows challenging youth to put down their guns, parents to take back control of their children and community leaders to ensure that there are quality social service programs to address the needs of young people.
