#AVP investigating reports of another anti-gay hate violence attack

May 26, 2013

AVP investigating reports of another anti-gay hate violence attack in New York City, the ninth in May; calls for community members to join us on May 31 for Friday Safety Night and on June 6 for Community Wellness/Speak Out

The New York City Anti-Violence Project is investigating reports of a ninth incident of anti-gay violence to occur in New York City this month. The latest incident is being reported on the New Civil Rights Movement Blog, after going viral on Facebook on Saturday. LGBTQ activist Eugene Lovendusky, a member of the group Queer Rising, which has been an integral part of the response to recent bias attacks, reports that he was attacked himself on Friday night, May 24th in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. A close friend reported that Lovendusky had been attacked by a group of 9 to 10 men who shouted anti-gay slurs and punched him in the jaw.

AVP is reaching out to Queer Rising, GLAAD and other community partners, as well as New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the Hate Crimes Task Force of the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office to further investigate this assault.  AVP has received information that arrests have been made .  

In light of recent anti-LGBT violence, AVP is also holding Community Safety Nights each Friday throughout Pride month. During Friday Community Safety Nights, AVP will be out on the streets doing outreach in neighborhoods recently affected by violence to raise awareness and provide people with information and safety tips.  You can help.  We will need dedicated volunteers and concerned community members to get out there and join us as we bring our message of safety to the streets.  Join us on May 31st and every Friday through June at 6 p.m. at AVP’s offices for a brief Safety Training then we will head out to do outreach together!  TO JOIN US: Contact Tasha Amezcua at tamezcua@avp.org or watch for event announcements on our Facebook page.

In response to the impact this string of violent incidents has had on our community, AVP is joining with the LGBT Community Center and others for a Community Speak Out & Wellness Night.  AVP and The Center are bringing our communities together to talk about how people are feeling and to offer support to anyone who needs it on June 6, 2013, 5:00 - 8:30 pm, The LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St., NY, NY, 10011.  Join community members for: support & counseling, resources, speak outs about safety, ways to get involved and take action.  This is a FREE event – food and Metro Cards will be provided.  ASL and tactile interpreters, Spanish interpreters, and Spanish speaking counselors available.

REPORTING VIOLENCE HELPS END VIOLENCE:
AVP encourages you to report violence you experience or witness to our free and confidential 24-hour bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at 212-714-1141 where you can speak with a trained counselor and seek support, or you can report violence anonymously online.

Find out more about AVP at our website, www.avp.org, get regular updates on our ongoing work on Facebook.com/antiviolence or Twitter @antiviolence, and get involved and make a difference.

#Gun Crisis Reporting-Holiday weekend shooting victims reported across Philadelphia

Mapped: Holiday weekend shooting victims reported across Philadelphia Posted: 26 May 2013 08:00 AM PDT A 19-year-old woman was reported in stable condition after she was shot early Saturday morning on I Street near East Tioga Street in the Harrowgate section of Philadelphia. Police rushed a 49-year-old man to Temple University Hospital, where he was reported in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the stomach, following a shooting incident shorty after noon Saturday in the area of West Clearfield and North Sheridan Streets in the Fairhill section of the city. A 26-year-old man was reported in stable condition at Temple after he was shot at about 9 p.m. Saturday in the area of 20th and Berks Streets in North Philadelphia. Police rushed a 19-year-old man to Temple University Hospital, where he was reported in critical condition after he was shot four times on North Myrtlewood Street near West Huntingdon Street at about 10:15 Saturday night in the Strawberry Mansion section of North Philadelphia. At about 2 a.m. Sunday, a 26-year-old man was shot twice on the 6100 block of Vine Street in West Philadelphia and rushed by medics to the University of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was reported in stable condition. View Holiday weekend shooting victims reported across Philadelphia, beginning 05.24.13 in a larger map Please share your ideas to stop the shooting in our community by using the #phillypeaceplan hash tag when communicating on social media: http://guncrisis.org/phillypeaceplan/ The Gun Crisis Reporting Project is an award-winning, independent, nonprofit journalism community striving to illuminate the epidemic of homicide by gunfire in Philadelphia — and to find solutions.

#Gun Crisis Report- Gun violence takes a massive toll on American children

The Philly Artists against Violence urges you to get involved in your neighborhood and community with any reputable organization that stands against Violence. 

Just reading the title alone leaves a bad taste in my mouth. We have innocent children dying everyday. Children who will never get the opportunity to graduate from high school, attend their prom, celebrate their 16th birthday, attend college, have a career, get married or start a family.....their life has been stolen away from them due to the senseless acts of others who have no respect for human life. All of us are accountable and responsible to not just speak out but to do whatever is humanly possible to divert and deter those we love and care about and even those we do not yet know from acts of violence that is plaguing our cities, neighborhoods, families and lives. 

Please Please research programs and organizations in your communities and donate just 8 hours of your time a month to make a difference. You will be surprise how much change you can bring to someone's life. If we don't try as a whole then we fail as nation.....Philly's Very Own Gossip Girl coming at ya!

This month: Children wounded and killed by gunfire across the US

Posted: 25 May 2013 08:13 AM PDT

bradycenter.org

Gun violence takes a massive toll on American children, according to bradycenter.org, which reports that an average of eight children and teens under the age of 20 are killed by guns every day here in the US, where children die by guns 11 times as often as children in other high-income countries.
Here are some of the stories we have followed this month at the Gun Crisis Reporting Project on our national Twitter feed @guncrisisUS:

Pennsylvania: Toddler slain during backyard picnic http://ow.ly/lildxNew Jersey: Woman, arrested in shooting death of boy, 12 http://ow.ly/lmo1kVirginia: Fatal shooting of 10-year-old girl ruled accidental http://ow.ly/lmmFrNew York: Girl, 14, killed by stray bullet while riding bus http://ow.ly/lb6faMichigan: Prom continues after shooting at pre-prom party left 17-year-old girl dead http://ow.ly/lmmdp

Chicago: Boy, 12, critically hurt in Little Village shooting http://ow.ly/lcsshKentucky: Child shot http://ow.ly/lil9kAtlanta: Child, in bed, hit by stray bullet http://ow.ly/leKFrAlabama: Child shot while riding in car http://ow.ly/lef2sLouisiana: Boy, 8, accidentally shot by brother http://ow.ly/lcsHeSan Francisco: 10-year-old girl dies after being shot http://ow.ly/lcsDGArkansas: Child shot in ankle by sister http://ow.ly/lmjhXCalifornia: Teenager accused of killing two girls http://ow.ly/lmmz5Wisconsin: Funeral held for 17-year-old shooting victim http://ow.ly/la05EDetroit: Teen shot to death on SW side http://ow.ly/lmmvWBaltimore: Two juveniles shot http://ow.ly/lb73QNew Jersey: Boy, 12, shot and killed while playing basketball with his dad http://ow.ly/lb6dqTexas: Woman, young boy shot to death, father in critical condition http://ow.ly/lacaD Texas: Teen shot in car with others dies http://ow.ly/lac9vSt. Louis: Two teen girls shot In south St. Louis http://ow.ly/lcsAgMichigan: Teenage girl dies after being shot in the face http://ow.ly/l85wfSouth Carolina: Teacher: 7-year-old murder victim was ‘unforgettable’ http://ow.ly/l83uKSouth Carolina: Mom opens fire on family, killing kids, 5 and 7, and wounding husband http://ow.ly/l4PiBNew Jersey: Newark high school student killed in shooting http://ow.ly/l4PeHTexas: 5-Year-Old shot Saturday by friend dies http://ow.ly/l0EDHNew Jersey: Police arrest dad of 4-year-old who killed 6-year-old http://ow.ly/l0DpKWashington: Child, 4, wounded in drive-by shooting http://ow.ly/kZRI1Texas: 6-year-old accidentally shoots himself http://ow.ly/kZjRXPennsylvania: Child shot in Wilkes-Barre http://ow.ly/kXn7OTexas: 2-year-old boy dies In accidental shooting http://ow.ly/kWHzvDetroit: Boy, 16, dies after playing Russian roulette with friends http://ow.ly/kW1jjNew Jersey: Shooting of 12-year-old boy likely an accident http://ow.ly/kVNrpNew Mexico: Father admits shooting baby to death http://ow.ly/kV9zZWashington: 3-year-old girl shot in leg by stray bullet http://ow.ly/kV8tx 
California: Shootings leave 17-year-old boy, three others injured http://ow.ly/kOVXuNYC: Teen’s murder believed case of mistaken identity http://ow.ly/kLKioFlorida: 6-year-old girl in critical condition after being shot by brother, 13 http://bit.ly/118yNPvMilwaukee: 4-year-old child shot while playing http://ow.ly/kBjnHCalifornia: Child shot at apartments is stable http://ow.ly/kDvpdKentucky: 5-year-old boy accidentally shoots, kills 2-year-old sister http://ow.ly/kDvDf Alabama: 4-year-old finds gun, shoots himself in the headhttp://ow.ly/kI3mNChicago: Boy, 10, shot; not intended target http://ow.ly/kDwnuSt. Louis: Child shot in foot http://ksdk.com  http://ow.ly/kF5xoTexas: Toddler killed in accidental shooting http://ow.ly/kRt9ITennessee: Two teens shot http://ow.ly/kOXjyNew Jersey: Boy, 12, shot in the face by 11-year-old http://on.cpsj.com/1989ACNDetroit: 11-year-old boy shot inside home http://ow.ly/kOXmlHouston: Boy, 7, shot by younger brother http://ow.ly/kRrvlDenver: Police search for 2 men after child shot http://ow.ly/kBjhFCalifornia: 6-year-old girl transported after shooting http://ow.ly/kOW1m

MugShot Diner Opening May 30th (Philadelphia)

Check out our restaurant The press and general public are invited to attend the Grand Opening of the newest Philadelphia restaurant, located in the Fishtown District of the city at 2424 East York Street. Please join us to try our delicious American Continental cuisine and classic diner favorites like the Banana-stuffed French toast, Tostados, or Handmade Jumbo-Lump Crab cakes. The Grand Opening will be held on Thursday, May 30th of 2013 at 2424 East York Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125. The all new Mugshot Diner restaurant features 3200 square feet of dining space, accommodating 150 diners, an open-kitchen countertop seating area, and a completely custom décor unlike anything else in the city. The business community’s needs are served with catering services, roomy tables and outdoor seating for the summer months. Click to view our menus Mugshot Diner will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late night menu for our 24 hour weekends! From classic diner favorites such as pancakes, omelettes and double-decker clubs to our contemporary American continental dishes, our menu has something to offer all guests. Mugshot Diner has been in construction and planning phases since the summer of 2012, and has blossomed into a restaurateur’s masterpiece that must be seen to believe. Complete with eye-catching chrome accents, solid granite tabletops, color changing LED’s (both indoors and outdoors), and custom designed booths, this retro-style diner is sure to impress. The diner will be open Monday through Wednesday, from 7:00AM until 2:00AM, on Thursday from 7:00AM to 3:00AM, Fridays and Saturdays 24 hours, and from 7:00AM until 2:00AM again on Sunday. Media and bloggers may present their press badge or proper associated identification for a complimentary meal between the dates of Thursday, May 30th 2013 and Sunday, June 2nd of 2013. Menu Links: http://issuu.com/amplifycreativemedia/docs/ Website: www.mugshotdiner.com Media Inquiries: Ryan Barrie (215) 426-2828 ext 1 (215) 426-2424 media@mugshotdiner.com If you are with a media or press agency and interested in covering the opening please click here for the official press release: http://bit.ly/12VkivP

©2013 Mugshot Diner | 2424 East York Street, Philadelphia Pa | 215.426.2424

PHILLY AAV NEEDS YOUR SUGGESTIONS- LOVE4LIFE TOUR (PHILADELPHIA)

Good Evening Everyone,

I decided to reach out to everyone in my database to help us come up with an approach to reach out to City Officials in hopes that they will partner with us on this initiative by not only coming out to guest speak and bring resources to the events, but to also allow us the use of a stage (without cost) at our violence prevention events. We were told that they charge for the stage and I know that from past events. However, with all the violence that is plaguing our city we are hoping we can come up with a compromise of no charge.

Many of you contacted me to come up with a strategy that is more than just "talk" so I created the tour so that anyone wanting to be hands on can do so. You all know that it takes a lot of work to make this event a success and to hear those words that we have to pay for a stage, to be honest, will discourage me and my team. This event is designed for us to hit the street and that's what we do and we invite all of you to participate. So, if you have any suggestions, please forward them to me and lets see how we can overcome the obstacles together. Thank you and I look forward to hearing your suggestions.

As always in Health,

Paythia

Former Known or Suspected Terrorists Admitted into the Federal Witness Security Program

Department of Justice

Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Statement Regarding Inspector General Report on the Handling of Former Known or Suspected Terrorists Admitted into the Federal Witness Security Program

For more than 40 years, the federal Witness Security (WitSec) Program has enabled the government to bring to justice the most dangerous criminals by providing critical protection for witnesses fearing for their safety. Over the last two decades, it has been a key tool in thwarting planned attacks and prosecuting those responsible for some of the worst acts of terrorism in American history, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the 2009 New York City subway suicide-bomb plot. No terrorism-linked witness has ever committed an act of terrorism after entering the program.

The number of former known or suspected terrorists ever admitted into the WitSec Program represents a fraction of one percent of the total WitSec population, and the vast majority were admitted into the program prior to Sept. 11, 2001. To date, the FBI has not identified a national security threat tied to the participation of terrorism-linked witnesses in the WitSec program.

All WitSec participants undergo careful vetting before being admitted into the program, including a complete psychological evaluation and consideration of the witness’s value to the underlying prosecution, the nature of the threat against the witness and the potential risk to the relocation community. Witnesses are admitted only if relevant federal law enforcement officials have determined that the witness is suitable for the program and the need to admit the witness outweighs any potential risk to the public. Those officials include: the FBI or other sponsoring law enforcement agency investigating the underlying criminal conduct; the U.S. Attorney for the district prosecuting the underlying criminal conduct; the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), which protects witnesses who require a change of identity and relocation services; and the Department’s Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO), which oversees the WitSec Program.

The Justice Department agrees with the Inspector General’s audit report that the WitSec Program’s requirements for admitting and monitoring participants needed to be enhanced for terrorism-linked witnesses. In May 2012, the Justice Department developed and implemented formal protocols that the Inspector General recognized as a “significant milestone.” These enhancements, which have been in effect for a year, include:

• Complete information sharing between USMS, OEO, FBI, the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) and the National Joint Terrorism Task Force (NJTTF)

• A highly restrictive travel policy that prohibits without exception WitSec participants with a Watchlist status of “No Fly” from traveling on commercial flights

• Consultation with the Justice Department’s National Security Division whenever a terrorism-linked witness is admitted into the WitSec Program

• Close coordination with the Department of Homeland Security in cases involving foreign nationals
The Justice Department has completed action on 15 of the 16 recommendations made in the Inspector General’s report. The sole remaining recommendation requires the Department to perform a manual review of all 18,000-plus case files of WitSec Program participants dating back to the 1970s. The department has thus far completed its review of nearly 20 years of records.

Partnership for Safety and Justice (Portland OR)

It's Good News, But...

Today’s revenue forecast will be the last forecast to influence Oregon’s legislative budget decisions before the close of the session.

All in all, the news was good. The state is looking at roughly $115 million more in tax revenue for the 2013-15 biennium. But Oregon can’t celebrate too quickly. The additional revenue is not enough to prevent serious cuts to a wide range of critical services in Oregon. Without further effort by the legislature, the human services budget, for example, could still experience $120 to $130 million of devastating cuts.

And what does this mean for public safety reform efforts?Much of the conversation about needed corrections reform has focused on getting money to our crumbling local public safety infrastructure. Victim services, community corrections, addiction treatment, and re-entry programs are severely under-funded. Maybe the increased revenue can help change that dynamic.

But Oregonians shouldn’t forget that the need to pass HB 3194, a comprehensive package of corrections reforms, isn’t about saving money (and it never was). HB 3194 is about public safety -- making communities safe by making it less likely people will re-offend and by focusing on front-end crime prevention. This reform effort is about passing policies that make Oregon’s approach to crime reduction smarter and more effective.

Temporary investments made possible with a little more revenue won’t address Oregon’s larger public safety problems. Our system is currently out of balance.
A short-term revenue fix doesn’t stop ballooning prison growth. The state’s prison population is projected to grow by 2,000 inmates in the next 10 years. Unless reforms are passed to stem this growth, prison spending will squeeze out more and more critical crime-fighting resources that keep communities safe.

Legislators need to modify Oregon’s sentencing laws to avert prison expansion and avoid a system increasingly focused on the wrong side of the crime equation. We can’t continue to spend the majority of our public safety resources on prisons and responses that happen after people have been harmed by crime.

We need to keep our eyes on the prize. Oregonians are ready to shift toward strategies that maintain accountability, modify sentencing to allow for greater investments in crime prevention, and restore balance to our justice system. 

825 NE 20th Avenue, #250 | Portland, OR 97232 | (503) 335-8449 |  (503) 232-1922

Shampoo Nightclub 417 N 8th Street with Jim Jones, Naughty by Nature

Performers, party goers, and birthday celebraters come out and enjoy a night of fun, music and entertainment at Shampoo Nightclub 417 N 8th Street with Jim Jones, Naughty by Nature, Asia Sparks and Nala Gold. Hosted by Cat Washington, DJ Damage & Mia Mendez on June 15th 2013.

#2013 HOMELESS NOT HOPELESS FINALE AND CLOTHING DRIVE

2013 HOMELESS NOT HOPELESS FINALE AND CLOTHING DRIVE

VARE RECREATION CENTER 2600 MORRIS STREET

3-6PM

hnhpoetsforchange.weebly.com

PROGRAM

KT TERRY THE POETIC QUEEN ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE

SPEAKER-KENYATTA JOHNSON OPENS THE PROGRAM

PERFORMANCE-DEBRA WRIGHT PRESENTS  "FOR WOMEN"

SPEAKER-MOTHER’S IN CHARGE

PERFORMANCE-RHANDA RIZE

SPEAKER-YAHIMBA UHURU

PERFORMANCE-PAT MCLEAN PRESENTS “TOMORROW’S GIRLS

SPEAKER-TYEMA SANCHEZ-GIRLTINI “SOLIDARITY OF SISTERHOOD”

PERFORMANCE-BRUCE “SMOKEY” BRADWELL

PERFORMANCE-LOVE DA POET

PERFORMANCE-AZIZA

SPEAKERS- BARB GADWAY

ROLE CALL-COMMUNITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES

VENDOR SHOUT-BY KT TERRY THE POETIC QUEEN

TRIVIA GAME-KT TERRY THE POETIC QUEEN

PERFORMANCE-PAYTHIA JENKINS PRESENTS 

“ARTISTS AGAINST VIOLENCE”

PERFORMANCE-RYAN JONES

PERFORMANCE-SISTER SISTER

PERFORMANCE-SHELTER RESIDENTS

POETS ROLE CALL

CLOSING REMARKS

BY KT TERRY THE POETIC QUEEN

CALL TO DANCE

NEW LINE DANCE TAUGHT BY MISTY BRADWELL & TY BAILE

Recent Hate Violence Incidents in NYC /A Call to Action

• Recent Hate Violence Incidents in NYC
• A Call to Action
• Community Heroes Awards
• Join us for FUSION

Recent LGBTQ hate violence incidents in NYC

AVP has been working with community members, community partners like GLAAD and Queer Rising, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to address four disturbing incidents of hate violence that occurred last week.

On Sunday May 5^th, near Madison Square Garden on 8^th Avenue, between 34^th and 35^th Street, Nick Porto and Kevin Atkins were assaulted by four men shouting anti-gay slurs.  On Tuesday May 7^th in Union Square, performer Qween Amor was publically assaulted by an individual who used anti-gay slurs.  Then on Wednesday May 8^th, a man was exiting Pieces Bar on Christopher Street in the West Village when he was attacked by two men shouting anti-gay slurs.  And on Friday, May 9^th, two gay men were attacked near the 33^rd Street PATH Station in Manhattan.  AVP's Deputy Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy, Ejeris Dixon, denounced this rash of incidents, with all of the major New York News outlets including CBS 2 News and WABC 7 News.

So what can we do? A call to action!

Join us this Thursday night, May 16^th at 7pm, as AVP supports Queer Rising’s Rally and March: Queers Take Back the Night in response to these attacks.  AVP will be speaking about safety for our LGBTQ communities at the rally, and will be distributing our safety information.  Meet us outside of Madison Square Garden, on corner of 7th Avenue and 33rd Street, as we support community-based efforts to address this violence.  After the rally, we will march through Chelsea, south along 8th Avenue, and ending at Horatio Street/Jackson Square Park.

And starting next week on Friday, May 24^th and continuing throughout Pride month, AVP will also be out on the streets doing Friday Safety Nights outreach in the affected neighborhoods to raise awareness and provide people with information and safety tips.  We will need dedicated volunteers and concerned community members to get out there and join us as we bring our message of safety to the streets.  To join us for any of these events or activities, contact Tasha Amezcua at tamezcua@avp.org, or watch for event announcements on our Facebook page.  

HBO Sponsors AVP’s Community Heroes Awards
 
Last night, May 14^th, AVP held our first ever Community Heroes Awards sponsored by HBO.  In light of recent violence, it seemed more appropriate than 
ever to thank the community partners whose tremendous behind the scenes support of AVP moves AVP’s LGBTQ anti-violence work forward throughout New York City.  AVP is so grateful to HBO and to our 2013 community heroes whose support makes our life-changing, life-saving work possible each day.

At the event, we honored Stacey Lentz of the Stonewall Inn, who has supported AVP and so many LGBTQ causes both locally and nationally; the watsons, who elevate brands that make a positive difference in the world around them, and who have helped AVP get our message of LGBTQ rights and safety out to the world with their brilliant, beautiful style; White & Case, a global law firm and one of the largest providers of pro bono legal services in the world, who provide essential legal services that help AVP help our LGBTQ community members; and Robert Lopez, a dedicated AVP volunteer who works on our Pride and Real Talks Community Action Committees, and who recently completed the Hotline Training Course becoming a NYS Certified Rape Crisis Counselor and volunteers to take calls on AVP’s 24-Hour Hotline.

Check out some photos from last night's event on AVP's Facebook page.





Join us for FUSION!  AVP’s annual PRIDE Party

Join AVP for FUSION at XL Nightclub on June 26th from 6pm to 9pm!

Full open bar featuring Brooklyn Brewery and GuS Grown-up Soda; and snacks by PopChips.

FUSION is sponsored by BLiNQ Media, Go Magazine, JetBlue, Kaye Scholer and Macy’s Inc. DJ Randy Bettis will start spinning at 6:00 pm for everyone excited to kick off Pride in NYC.  We’ll also have a raffle for a chance to win two round trip JetBlue tickets anywhere JetBlue flies!

Find out more and purchase FUSION and raffle tickets here!


 

Other Great Upcoming Programs and Events 

·         Join AVP and GMHC this Thursday, May 16th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm,for On Your Radar! A Community Discussion about Staying Safe with Online Dating, Hook-up Apps and Sites.  This panel discussion will feature AVP's Coordinator of Hate Violence and Sexual Violence Programs, Jarad Ringer.  Find out more and join us.

·         AVP’s Volunteer Orientation is Thursday, May 16th from 7pm to 9pm. RSVP, get to know us better, and get involved!

·         Sing out with AVP at FAB-Karaoke at the Stonewall Inn on Friday, May 17th, from 6pm to 10pm!  This monthly musical networking event is sponsored by FAB (Friends of AVP Board) and all funds raised go directly to AVP.  RSVP on Facebook today!

·         AVP’s Real Talks is on Tuesday, May 21st from 7pm to 9pm. Join our Real Talks Committee, which focuses on increasing awareness about LGBTQH intimate partner/domestic violence, and building campaigns on related issues.  Find out more here.

·         We at AVP commit to a presence at nearly every Pride event in all five boroughs, but we can't do this critical work without YOU, our volunteers!  Join us on Monday, May 27th from 7pm to 9pm for our next AVP Pride Committee Meeting.  Help us make this a fun and safe PRIDE month in NYC!

·         Join AVP on Thursday, May 23rd from 7pm to 9pm as we celebrate our graduating class of Speakers Bureau participants.  The AVP Speaker's Bureau is a workshop space for LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence to connect, share, and heal.  Participants focused on safety planning for public speaking, engaging with media, and connecting our stories to action.  Join us as we celebrate their graduation!  For more info, contact Tasha Amezcua at tamezcua@avp.org or 212-714-1184, ext. 19.

·         Find out more about AVP's B.R.E.A.T.H.E. Support Group for LGBTQ Survivors of Sexual Violence which begins on June 4.  Participants must attend an intake session by June 3 prior to admittance into the group.

Gun Crisis Report: Families come together to remember couple killed this time last year

Families come together to remember couple killed this time last year Posted: 15 May 2013 10:30 AM PDT Family members and friends gather on the 200 block of Sparks Street in the Olney section of  Philadelphia on Tuesday May 14, 2013, for a vigil to remember murder victims Latia Jones  and Rodney Ramseur Jr. who were gunned down while sitting on a porch of a home on Sparks Street  near 3rd Street on a rainy night in May of 2012 by a still unknown gunman who shot them at close  range according to investigators. Tuesday night at the vigil a crowd of about 50 people gathered in  prayer with Latia's mother Alvita Jones, her grandmother Delores Davis, her aunt Amanda Davis  and Rodney's mother Nicole Hyman to release balloons in remembrance of the young couple.  The two mothers, during an interview with NBC 10 made an appeal for anyone with information  about these murders to step forward and contact police. Alvita Davis went on to say "to the killers  I'd like to say: I hope your mother's enjoyed her Mother's Day - because I didn't enjoy my  Mother's Day. You took my Mother's Day away from me. I pray that your conscious bothers  you to the point that you'll come forth and be a man and say what you've done. GunCrisis.org/  Joseph Kaczmarek Alvita Davis, left, and Nicole Hyman,mothers of murder victims Latia Jones and  Rodney Ramseur, Jr., embraced after releasing balloons  with about 50 other people during a vigil held in remembrance of the couple Tuesday night on Sparks Streets in the Olney section of Philadelphia. Photographs for the Gun Crisis Reporting Project by Joseph Kaczmarek. Jones and Ramseur were killed by an unknown gunman on a rainy night last May while sitting on the porch of a home on Sparks Street near 3rd Street. Investigators say they were shot at close range. The two mothers made an appeal during an interview on NBC10, asking anyone with information to step forward and contact police: “I didn’t enjoy my Mother’s Day. You took my Mother’s Day away from me,’ said Davis, adding that she will pray that conscience will lead the killer to “come forth and be a man and say what you’ve done.” Slideshow: Families come together in remembrance. Photographs by Joseph Kaczmarek. Latia Jones and Rodney Ramseur Jr. Vigil Latia Jones and Rodney Ramseur Jr. Vigil Latia Jones and Rodney Ramseur Jr. Vigil Latia Jones and Rodney Ramseur Jr. Vigil Latia Jones and Rodney Ramseur Jr. Vigil Latia Jones and Rodney Ramseur Jr. Vigil Latia Jones and Rodney Ramseur Jr. Vigil Please share your ideas to stop the shooting in our community by using the #phillypeaceplan hash tag when communicating on social media: http://guncrisis.org/phillypeaceplan/ If you want to get involved in gun violence reduction in Philadelphia, please consider volunteering with or donating to one of the organizations under our Network tab. If you would like us to add your group to our list, please email us at info@guncrisis.org. Send to Kindle

Overnight gun violence report Posted: 15 May 2013 09:32 AM PDT Two men and a woman were wounded by gunfire during a 12-hour stretch overnight, and police opened fire on a man they say aimed a gun at them in another incident. In the case of the first shooting, medics rushed a 39-year-old man to Temple University Hospital, where he was reported in stable condition. The victim had been shot twice in the leg on Redner Street near 24th and Oxford Streets in North Philadelphia Tuesday night. Police transported a 21-year-old man to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after he was shot twice in the area of Yewdall and Arch Streets in West Philadelphia shortly before 8 p.m. A 29-year-old woman was reported in stable condition at Temple after she was shot in the hand just before 8 a.m. Wednesday on the 2400 block of West Oakdale Street in North Philadelphia. All three victims were reported in stable condition. Police opened fire on a man they say drew a gun during a foot pursuit in West Philadelphia, missing the suspect but making the apprehension on Kershaw Street near 50th Street in the Parkside section of the city. Officials say officers stopped the man for a possible curfew violation, according to 6ABC. View Overnight gun violence reports: 05.15.13 in a larger map. The Gun Crisis Reporting Project is an award-winning, independent, nonprofit journalism community striving to illuminate the epidemic of homicide by gunfire in Philadelphia — and to find solutions.