THE HIP-HOP AGAINST GUN & GANG VIOLENCE PROJECT & THE 7 E’S 4 POWER TOUR WITH POWER 105.1, NYCHA, NYPD, NYC COUNCIL SPEAKER M. VIVERITO, MANHATTAN B.P. GALE BREWER AND PALMER’S COCOA BUTTER SUPPORT “FAMILY DAY” IN WAGNER HOUSES TO END GUN & GANG VIOLENCE AND IMPROVE POLICE/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Is The Mass Murder Of Police Officers In Dallas A Wake Up Call For The Nation?

New York, NY, July 11, 2016—As we enter the summer months gun and gang violence is once again at the top of the news cycle, but this year may be the worst ever.  On Thursday, July 8, 2016 at 8:58PM shots rang out as 5 Police officers were murdered and 7 wounded as the anger of disgruntled citizens caused the worst mass murder of police officers since 911.  25-year-old Michael Johnson, a former military veteran, was the shooter.  He was later killed by a robot explosive device while in a parking garage unwilling to surrender.  Media sources say he had mental issues stemming from his tour in Afghanistan and was upset at recent killings by the Police of Blacks.  With revenge on his mind he said he wanted to kill White Police officers and citizens as well.

There are many citizens out there who are fed-up and believe the wheels of justice have failed.  Thanks to Smartphones we can view police shootings across the country in real time.  The killing of a Black man in one city can affect the emotions and/or mental stability of citizens living in the next.  Young people are protesting every day about Police murders of men of color.  For many years relations between the Police and Community have declined nationwide and if we don’t take a proactive position to neutralize the problem we are going to have a summer of murder and madness.  We have been talking for years about how to improve Police/Community relations, but the problem continues to escalate out of control.  After Thursday’s shootings we have to realize that present plans are failing and we need a brand new approach to address the issue.

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When citizens get so upset that they are willing to sacrifice their own lives to make a point, we have a problem that can longer be ignored.  After this mass murder we can no longer move forward with a “business as usual” attitude.  New gun law reform and real dialogue about race has to be the new priority if we want to put an end to the murders.

It is our hope that it will not take a string of mass murders of Police officers before this country finally decides to have an “Honest Conversation About Race”; the elephant in the room no one has discussed since the end of slavery.  If you ask the youth and young adults about all these shootings, they will say race is the culprit.  This can only be the fault of political and community leaders who continue to dodge the conversation because America is afraid to face the truth about the nation’s brutal history.  We must get over that fear so we can start the healing process which will make us a better country.

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The inability of our elected officials to address the century old issue of race only puts law-abiding citizens and good police officers in harm’s way.  With young people today turning to gangs and groups like ISIS we face a threat of domestic violence like never before.  Not only do we have to worry about “Copy Cat Crimes,” but also “Home-Grown Terrorists” and criminals looking for something to hide behind to commit their crimes.  When the smoke clears, the way things are looking there is so much drama going on we will not know who to blame for the chaos.

Over the years there has been a lot of marching, complaining and failed Bills for tougher guns laws.  It does not take a rocket scientist to tell you that our failure over the years to come up with any solution played a role in the Dallas shootings.  The question is, what are we going to do this time around to improve relations between the Police and community so this does not happen again?

This Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence project along with the 7 E’s 4 Power Tour could not have come at a better time because we are facing a potential race war as Police/Community relations decline.  This is bad for all law-abiding citizens and great for criminals and terrorist groups like ISIS.  Whether it is local Police, FBI, CIA, DEA, Homeland Security, Corrections, District Attorneys or our Criminal Courts, people of color do not trust any of the above, and that’s a problem only a real conversation about race can solve.

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Stated Charles Fisher, Founder of the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council, “We have to use the tragedy in Dallas to start the necessary dialogue to improve race and Police/Community relations nationwide.  We can’t let the death of the Dallas officers be in vain.  It’s time for our Elected Officials to start a real conversation about race because when it comes to the Police and the Criminal Justice System citizens are concerned about the “Slave Mentality Treatment” carried out by some in minority communities which leaves the impression that Black Lives Don’t Matter.  We also need to get our celebrities involved because they have the attention of young citizens who can be a part of the solution and not the problem.”

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If we don’t take the tragedy in Dallas serious we can expect more shootings because after watching video after video of Black men being murdered over the years the stage is set for mayhem and murder nationwide.  The Dallas shootings should serve as a warning sign because other deranged “Copy Cats” may soon feel the need to take matters into their own hands as well.

“I don’t think it was the intent of the “Founding Fathers” to make it so easy for mentally ill, angry and racist revenge-scouting citizens to get a gun with enough firepower to snuff out an entire classroom in seconds.  If the “Founding Fathers” were here now, they would look at the situation, count the number of people that die daily from firearms (88) and use their “Common Sense” to implement new gun law reform.  I’m all for the “Second Amendment,” but I’m not for making it easy for any nut to buy a gun and take their hate out on innocent citizens,” ended Fisher.

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“There is nothing more important than family that why I’m here at Wagner Houses once again to show my support and celebrate “Family Day” with all my friends and supporters.  In addition, I also enjoy talking to the residents to assess what resources are needed to improve the quality of life for the many hard working citizens living here.  I’m also proud of the way we have recently used the influence of the arts through the Art A Catalyst For Change initiative to address gun violence and by working with the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council and Power 105.1 it is my hope that we can make our Housing Developments and communities even safer for our children, youth and seniors, while also working to improve relations between our Police and community so we don’t experience the tragedy in Dallas here in New York,” ended New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

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“Today’s Family Day event was very successful as the Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence Project along with the 7 E’s 4 Power project continue to serve poor and disadvantaged high crime districts.  In addition, we also launched our “Power Partners 4 Peace” initiative created to enroll 1,051 Citizens & Celebrities to end gun and gang violence, as well as improve Police/Community relations.  There was plenty of music, food, fun, games and prize give-a-ways as we talked to many residents about how to stop the murders, while bridging the communication gap between the community and Police.  With the introduction of smartphones people can capture Police misconduct and show them to the world, which further erodes Police/Community trust,” ended Randy Fisher, Executive Director, Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council.

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Continued Fisher “I want to thank speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who we walked around the Housing Development with talking to residents about their issues, and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer for coming out to support our movement to improve public safety and Police/Community relations.  I also want to give a well deserved shout out my socially responsible partners at Power 105.1, home of the Breakfast Club and Angie Martinez including: Joe DeAngelis, Gee Spin, Thea Mitchem, and Chiara Morrison for their support over the last four years.  Their support gives us the inspiration and confidence to go out on these dangerous streets each day to make a difference.  Special shout out also goes to NYPD and their PSA division, including Lieutenant Cleare and Det. Redric.  I want to thank NYCHA, Wagner Houses TA President Katie Harris, and Palmer’s Cocoa Butter for their support to make this event a success.  It is our intent to get celebrities to join the Power Partners 4 Peace initiative so we can stop the senseless killings by the Police, criminals, gangs and the mentally disturbed.”

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In order for America to remain great and function as the founding fathers envisioned we need criminal justice reform, racial, economic and social equality.  We cannot allow the ignorance and unprofessional behavior of a few police officers destroy our country.  Unless Police Commissioners find a better way to train and discipline their officers we are headed for an uprising worse than 911 because thanks to the NRA almost anyone can get a gun.  There is more than enough hate out there to destroy our way of life so it’s up to the Power of Hip-Hop through our youth and young adults to start the process of building a better and safer country and that is what the Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence Project and the Power Partners 4 Peace initiative is all about.

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“I’m out here today to support Family Day and lend my support to the Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence project along with Power 105.1 as they work with the residents to stop gun violence and improve relations between our Police and the community.  We have to be a little more proactive to ensure that the nightmare that happened in Dallas does not become a reality in NY,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.

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For more info on NYCHA’s Family Day, the Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence Project, 7 E’s 4 Power Tour or the Power Partners 4 Peace initiative contact us at: RandyKFisher@gmail.com.

Posted by Charles Fisher and Randy Fisher (Twitter, IG, Snap, FaceBook @HHSYC).