Hampton Roads, VA — After a summer plagued by gun violence, the communities of Hampton Roads are coming together to stand up and change the culture of gun violence in local neighborhoods. Panels of public health and mental health experts, public safety representatives, clergy, and community voices will convene Saturday, September 20, to discuss the situation and find solutions to gun violence locally.
Saturday’s forums are organized by the Virginia Center for Public Safety and Virginians for Responsible Gun Laws, and supported by the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, whose executive director, Josh Horwitz, will participate on the panel. The forums will be moderated by noted political strategist, activist and author the Rev. Marcia Dyson.
“Easy access to firearms by criminals has created a living nightmare for our families,” said Anton Bell, Commonwealth Attorney, City of Hampton. “I look forward to joining other community leaders, the panelists and concerned citizens to search for solutions to this plague of gun violence. All of our citizens deserve to live free of gun violence.”
WHAT: Gun Violence: Public and Mental Health Issues – “What is Our Future, Hampton Roads?”
WHEN: Saturday, September 20, 2014, 1-4 p.m.
WHERE: Hampton Roads Convention Center
1610 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, Va.
WHO:
Hosted by:
Virginia Center for Public Safety
Virginians for Responsible Gun Laws
The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence
AGENDA:
Welcome & Introduction
Jeanette Richardson
Special Guest and Moderator
Rev. Marcia Dyson
Healthcare & Mental Health
Dr. Sean Nix, Riverside Regional Medical Center
Chief Richard Myers, Newport News Police
Josh Horwitz, Executive Director, Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence
Dr. Darwin Mills, Newport News Public Schools
Public Safety
Chief John I. Dixon III, Petersburg Police
Commonwealth Attorney Anton Bell
Rev. Dr. Gregory M. Howard
Sheriff Gabriel A. “Gabe” Morgan, Newport News
Community Voices
Chief Terry Sult, Hampton Police
Brian Hawkins M.S.W, Hampton University Promise Program
Andrew Goddard, President, Million Mom March, Richmond Chapter: Board Member, Virginia Center for Public Safety
Ernest “Lee” Williams, Special Assistant, Division of Child Support Enforcement
Conclusion: What is Our Future, Hampton Roads?
Virginians for Responsible Gun Laws
Litany
Rev. M. Julius Hayes, PhD
Closing – Community Networking
The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (Ed Fund) is the 501(c)(3) sister organization of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. The organization has engaged in a number of successful public education campaigns over the years aimed at reducing gun death and injury. The Ed Fund can be found on Twitter.
