Anti-Violence walker Demetrius Nash, left Chicago on August 4, 2017, and walked 670 miles to the White House, to demonstrate opposition to violence. His second mission was to express support for the “Replace Guns with Hammers” initiative that provides opportunities for young people to learn vocational skills, as alternatives to violence.
Upon arrival in Washington, D.C. on September 25, 2017, Demetrius met with Congressman John Lewis and Congresswoman Robin Kelly, to promote his anti-violence message. They held a press conference on Capitol Hill, supported by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, where Demetrius Nash and Congressman John Lewis endorsed the upcoming “2017 Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities,” sponsored by Black Women for Positive Change (BW4PC), and a host of sponsors including Moms Demand Action Against Gun Violence; National Black Nurses Association, Next Generation Action Network, and National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE), partial listing).
Congressman John Lewis stated in an October 15th letter “As Georgia’s Fifth Congressional Representative, I am pleased to send greetings as the Black Women for Positive Change celebrate their 5th Annual Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities. I applaud your commitment to promoting non-violence and inclusion.” Sarah Dachos, Chair of the DC Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America said, “All of our voices are critical to the movement to prevent gun violence. Moms Demand Action is proud to partner with Black Women for Positive Change, in support of their 5th Annual Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities.”
In a joint statement BW4PC Co-Chairs Dr. Stephanie Myers and Delegate Daun S. Hester said, “We applaud Demitrius for his commitment to walk 600 miles against violence and we treasure the leadership Congressman Lewis has demonstrated all of his life. During the 2017 Week of Non-Violence, October 15-23, 2017, civic leaders are planning events in 21 cities around the USA, London and South Africa and we hope citizens around the world will get involved and sign up at: www-. 2017weekofnon-violence-. org.”
The cities involved in the 2017 Week of Non-Violence are Alexandria, VA; Los Angeles, CA; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Cincinnati, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Houston, TX; Phoenix, AR; Pittsburgh, PA; Birmingham, AL; Miami Dade, FL; Tampa, FL; Albuquerque, NM; Virginia Beach, VA; Penn Hills, PA; Durham, North Carolina; Denver, CO; Omaha, NE; London, UK; and Pretoria, South Africa.
There will be a Millennial-Led Unity Rally Against Violence and Harmony Jam, October 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Washington, D.C. at a lot across from Thurgood Marshal Academy, on Martin Luther King Avenue, SE, WDC. For information about Rally contact Marcus Hughes, Week of Non-Violence Millennial Chair, at 202-905-7076; or by email to: [email protected].”
