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gun violence

“Let there be Peace on Earth”: A Key Message during Chappaqua’s Concert to End Gun Violence

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Gun violence has been on our minds for quite some time. On Sunday, September 25, the opportunity to come together as a nation, on the same day, to express frustration with America’s gun violence epidemic and “to rally support for policies that reduce death and injury from gunfire” was realized by The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence.

Hosted by the First Congregational Church in Chappaqua, the Concert mirrored several others which took place all over the United States. The Concert was in partnership with Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, the Town of New Castle, the Chappaqua Interfaith Council, the Upper Westchester Muslim Society, Chappaqua Cares, the Million Mom March Northern Westchester Chapter and with Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester.

Chappaqua celebrity Dave Bickler, from the band Survivor, known for hits such as “Eye of the Tiger,” moved the audience with his renditions of “For What It’s Worth” and “Give Peace a Chance.”
Chappaqua celebrity Dave Bickler, from the band Survivor, known for hits such as “Eye of the Tiger,” moved the audience with his renditions of “For What It’s Worth” and “Give Peace a Chance.”

Local musicians of all ages performed moving instrumental and vocal pieces to underscore this theme. They included the HGHS Madrigal Choir, a trio from the Chappaqua Chamber Orchestra, the Chancel Choir, James Blasdell, Sam Blasdell, Alex Forni, Cantor Star Trompeter and Keith Robellard.

Musical performances were interspersed with secular and faith-based quotes and poems delivered by local dignitaries including Congresswoman Nita Lowey, State Assemblyman David Buchwald , Supervisor Robert Greenstein, Police Chief Charles Ferry and Poetess Shobha Vanchiswar.

Reverend Dr. Martha R. Jacobs led the audience in singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” The Concert echoed both sadness for all of us impacted by gun violence and hopefulness for change as the Town of New Castle came together to engage in this national movement.

Francesca Hagadus retired in 2015  after teaching French and Spanish in the Chappaqua Central School District for 32 years. She lives in Pleasantville with her two sons.

Newtown Film Captures Community Pain — and Resilience

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(L-R): Daniel’s parents, Mark and Jackie Barden; filmmakers, Kim Snyder and Maria Cuomo Cole; Congressman David Price, Vice Chair of the House Democrats' Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. A panel discussion followed the screening of "Newtown," which was moderated by Hunter Schwarz, National political reporter, Independent Journal Review.
(L-R): Daniel’s parents, Mark and Jackie Barden; filmmakers, Kim Snyder and Maria Cuomo Cole; Congressman David Price, Vice Chair of the House Democrats’ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. A panel discussion followed the screening of “Newtown,” which was moderated by Hunter Schwarz of the Independent Journal Review.

By Grace Bennett

Philadelphia, July 27 — When a parent who lost a child to the Sandy Hook massacre speaks of the need for us all to move forward, it is impossible not to feel your own resolve turn to steel.

The Bardens lost their six year old son Daniel, one of 20 first grade children and six educators gunned down on December 14, 2012 by Adam Lanza, who had easy access to military style assault weaponry in his home.

It seemed the entire world mourned and the surviving families where inundated with letters, drawings, etc.. But despite the intense outpouring, a raw pain still plagues the survivors interviewed; and some feel ready to reconcile that it may be an impossible one to erase. The parents describe how they struggle to maintain connections to the very spirit of their children, who live on inside them. One mother pointed to a room full of boxes of the letters and gifts that she is just starting to look at three years later. “We go on for the (surviving) children,” who are “miraculously still smiling and playing,” another parent related.

The movie’s powerful impact was not via graphic descriptions of what transpired in the classroom where the children died but rather achieved by conveying the intense pain and conflicting emotions–and also the dreams…the dreams…ones in which their children are still alive or one mother’s dream that she died holding her child (“at least I could be with him”). An emotional roller coaster may best describe the daily lives and consciousness of the survivors, surviving neighbors, siblings and good friends, and of the community at large.

Newtown FullSizeRenderFilmed over the course of three years, the filmmakers were granted unique access. There was never before heard testimony to depict the aftermath of the 2012 deadliest mass shooting of of school children in U.S. history. In Newtown, 12/14 is a day that changed…everything. But many, like the Bardens, continue to fight the gun lobby through the efforts of www.weareallNewtown.org and other advocacy groups, members of which were in attendance too.

“We are hoping for a ripple effect from this film,” commented Newtown’s director Kim Snyder. “We are using the film to reframe gun violence as a public health issue.”
Producer Maria Cuomo Cole called Newtown a “metaphor for what has happened to communities around the country. The unfortunate series of events since…people are scared in an unprecedented way.”

“I don’t see how anyone can see this film without being moved,” said Congressman David Price, vice chair of the House Democrats’ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. The issues surrounding gun prevention violence, he said, “have become a front and center, major presidential issue.”

Indeed, President Obama addressed gun violence in his speech last night, and his heartbreaking feelings of helplessness following Sandy Hook in particular. The issue–and a promise to never quit fighting the NRA–has been a prominent part of the Hillary Clinton campaign in her bid to be elected president.

Mark Barden urges everyone to get involved and described how he and his wife became “accidental advocates. I’m not proud that it took the loss of our little Daniel. Like so many Americans, we were disengaged. Now we will do whatever we can to prevent others from experiencing this kind of pain.”

Mother of Two Lost to Gun Violence: Hillary “Strong on the Issues”

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“I live with the pain every day.”

By Susan Youngwood

Philadelphia, PA, July 24 — Jackie Rowe Adams lost two sons to gun violence. Her 17-year-old was shot 33 years ago by three men who didn’t like the way he looked at them

Sixteen years later, her 28-year-old was killed in a robbery, by a 13-year-old.“It seems like yesterday,” she said. “I live with the pain every day, every hour.”

Jackie Rowe Adams lost two sons to gun violence.
Jackie Rowe Adams lost two sons to gun violence; she is fighting for Hillary Clinton to make history.

Gun control is one reason she supports Hillary Clinton. “She is a strong strong woman. A strong lady. She’s strong on the issues.”

Rowe-Adams is on the DNC Credentials Committee. From Harlem, she is president of her local chapter of the ASME Union, District Council 37. She founded Harlem Mothers Say Stop Another Violent End, which provides support and grief counseling to survivors of gun violence.

“I’m for Hillary all the way,” she said.  “I was for Hillary from the beginning. Let me tell you. She rose to the occasion in all her positions. She did a great job.”

When Clinton accepts the nomination this week, says Rowe Adams, “I feel I’m a part of history. I’m excited because it’s her time. It’s time for the world to believe in a female. And to open doors for the younger generation.”

Chappaqua Interfaith Vigil For Victims of Gun Violence: Dec. 13

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CHAPPAQUA’S FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HOSTS
INTERFAITH VIGIL FOR VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

In commemoration of the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, and in remembrance of the 90,000 American victims of gun violence since December 2012, First Congregational Church in Chappaqua, NY, is joining the Newtown Foundation and Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence in a nationwide vigil service to #EndGunViolence. The Interfaith Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence at First Congregational Church will take place on Sunday, December 13, 4 p.m.

“Through prayer, song, the ringing of bells, and candlelight, the service is intended to give a voice to all victims and survivors of gun violence,” stated Rev. Martha Jacobs, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church.

The Chappaqua Vigil is one of hundreds of local vigils being held in 39 states around the nation.

Survivors, elected officials, faith leaders, and others in the community will gather together to honor all victims of gun violence. Survivors and family members of victims will talk first-hand about the lifelong pain it creates.

– Kim Russell, a gun violence survivor, lives in NY and works with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and Million Mom March.
– Gisela Marin, mother of Jessica N. Santos, who at age 19 was the innocent victim of a random drive-by shooting. The Jessica N. Santos Foundation, http://www.rememberingjessica.com/foundation.htm
– Leah Gunn Barrett, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. Leah lost her brother to gun violence in 1997.
– Faith Leaders from First Congregational Church, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, the Chappaqua Interfaith Council, and the Upper Westchester Muslim Society.
– Elected officials attending:
– Assemblyman David Buchwald, 93rd Assembly District
– Robert Greenstein, Town Supervisor, Chappaqua
– Patti Lubin, Senior Counsel, representing US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Since that tragic day in December 2012 approximately 90,000 lives have been needlessly cut short due to the public health crisis of gun violence. So far in 2015 there has been on average at least one mass shooting per day (4 or more people shot in one incident), and more than 1,000 since the Sandy Hook shooting[i]. More preschoolers are shot dead than are police killed in the line of fire[ii].

Chappaqua Cares, a not for profit connecting philanthropic organizations, is co-sponsoring the vigil.
“We mourn for all victims of gun violence and believe it is vital to support family and friends suffering the loss of their loved ones every day for the rest of their lives. The ripple effect of gun violence cannot be understated,” said Dawn Greenberg, founder, Chappaqua Cares.

Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines is the media partner for the event.

The organizers expect a large turnout in the face of horrific mass shootings in Colorado Springs and San Bernardino over the past two weeks.

[i] Mass Shootings Tracker, shootingtracker.com
[ii] A New Way to Tackle Gun Deaths, The New York Times Op-Ed, October 3, 2015

–First Congregational Church has been serving the greater Chappaqua community for over 100 years. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and is an Open and Affirming congregation.
http://www.fcc-chappaqua.org/
–The Newtown Foundation is a Newtown-based, all volunteer organization formed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. Our mission is “To provide comfort, education, scholarship and other support and resources to people and communities impacted by, and living or growing up among or in the aftermath, of violence in American society; and to help them lead the way toward positive cultural change over the long term.”
http://newtownaction.org/newtown-foundation/.
-Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence is a diverse coalition of more than 50 denominations and faith-based organizations united by the call of our faiths to confront America’s gun violence epidemic and to rally support for policies that reduce death and injury from gunfire. http://faithsunited.org.
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