Newsletter | October 17, 2002

The next Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence is rapidly approaching.

Please remember to let us know what happens in your area! We love getting your pictures, news clippings, and email accounts. AND PLEASE REPORT YOUR TALLIES! You can post them via the website at www.pledge.org or you can fax them to (507) 663-1207 or (507) 645-2893. Or you can call them in at (507) 645-5378.

It has been exciting to learn of new Pledge initiatives going on around the country. A city that has not been involved in the past, Honolulu, has launched a major Pledge drive - a partnership effort between the Police Department and the Student Council. Radio, television, and the print news will all be running stories about it.

It may be hard to discuss the issue of gun violence without acknowledging the fear that has gripped the Washington DC, northern Virginia, and the suburban Maryland area in the wake of the sniper killings. The Student Pledge doesn't offer a bullet-proof shield to young people, but it does address the issue of senseless violence and their own ability, as individuals and as a generation, to substantially reduce it.

Statistically, young people are more likely to be victims of guns used in disputes, suicides, or accidents than they are to be targets of a sniper. And they do have control over those personal decisions that are most likely to keep them safe. Ultimately, there will always be some things that we can't control, but we must focus on those things that we can.

I am attaching a brief press release that you should feel free to tailor to your own use in contacting the media in your area. I am including it in the body of the email for those of you who don't like to open attachments and as an attachment for those who prefer the ease of being able to work directly on the attached text.

Good luck next week!

Mary Lewis Grow
National Coordinator