Jun 29, 2014
Governor Martin O’Malley, State of Maryland; Governor Bill Haslam, State of Tennessee; and Mayor William Euille, Alexandria, Virginia, are leading elected officials in America, who support the National Week of Non-Violence, August 16-23, 2014, sponsored by Black Women for Positive Change, a national, civic network. In an official state proclamation Governor Bill Haslam stated, “On behalf of the people of Tennessee, By virtue of the authority vested in me, I hereby confer upon Black Women for Positive Change A Day of Recognition Honoring August 16-23, as a National Week of Non-Violence,” signed Bill Haslam, Governor. (Proclamations attached)
An excerpt from the State of Maryland proclamation signed by Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown states, “Whereas, America’s problems with violence within our society have escalated during the last decade, affecting families in every walk of life….and…Whereas, all Americans are encouraged to organize community-based events that teach non-violence, conflict resolution, parenting and promote the viewing of the youth violence prevention film produced by BW4PC called “On 2nd Thought” available on the web at www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org; Now, therefore, I Martin O’Malley, Governor of the State of Maryland, do hereby proclaim August 16-23, 2014 as National Week of Non-Violence in Maryland”
Mayor William Euille, City of Alexandria, Virginia, issued a Proclamation stating, “….high school, college students, community-based organizations and faith institutions in Alexandria, Virginia have been challenged to plan a day or event that demonstrates what a day without violence would be like in their communities.” Mayor Euille joined BW4PC at a June 16, 2014 press conference at a playground in Washington, D.C. to highlight the importance of safety for children.
In a joint statement, BW4PC National Co-Chairs Virginia Delegate Daun S. Hester and Dr. Stephanie E. Myers said, “We appreciate the support of Governor O’Malley, Governor Haslam and Mayor Euille for the ‘National Week of Non-Violence,’ August 16-23, 2014, and invite all elected officials to recognize the importance of teaching non-violence, anger management and conflict resolution, in their jurisdictions. We hope elected officials will join with their constituents to ‘Change the Culture of Violence in America.’ We invite concerned citizens to attend a Summit on Non-Violence in the District of Columbia, on Saturday, August 23, 2014, 9 am – 5 pm, during the National Week of Non-Violence. This Summit will discuss strategies to change the way youth and violence prone adults think about committing violent acts.”
BW4PC invites interested individuals to register for the August 23rd Summit on Non-Violence in DC at no cost, at ww.blackwomenforpositivechange.org. Citizens outside of DC, are asked to host non-violence or conflict resolution events in their own cities and share event details on the National Week of Non-Violence Calendar at www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org For more information contact Dr. Barbara Reynolds, Charter Member and Chaplain, BW4PC, at 301-899-1341.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Dr. Barbara Reynolds, Press Contact
Black Women for Positive Change (BW4PC)
Tel. 301-899-1341; <reynew@aol.com>
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