Teens Stand Up To Gun Violence
Nearly 50 students from several Detroit public schools will be dedicating time this summer participating in an anti-violence initiative in Detroit.The Youth Initiatives Project, part of the Neighborhood Service Organization of Detroit, provides youth leadership and advocacy training focused on gun violence and substance abuse prevention.
Cassie Campbell, 17, of Detroit, helped launch the effort at the Harper-Gratiot NSO center.
"We need to step up," Campbell said. "Too many of our loved ones and friends are dying to gun violence."
She knows firsthand of gun violence. A friend of hers from Osborn College Preparatory Academy was shot and killed over jewelry and sunglasses, she said.
She pointed out a burned out barbershop, two doors down from the NSO center. She said a murder at the barbershop a few weeks ago is one reason why young people are speaking out.
"There was an argument between the owner and the perpetrator," Campbell said.
"They shot the owner and he died, and they firebombed the barbershop... I was really disappointed because the [NSO] office is right here, and what we stand for," Campbell said.
It's just time for us to stand up, she said.
Members of the Youth Initiatives Project will be at various events handing out free gun locks and urging others to take a stand against gun violence too.
For more information on the iniative, visit the Michigan Neighborhood Service Organization.
Copyright 2010, WWJ Radio. All Rights Reserved.
