The HHSYC Receives Proclamation from NYC Council for “Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence" Week

June 13, 2012 - PRLog -- In attendance were Charles Fisher & Randy Fisher of HHSYC, Councilmembers Charles Barron, Leroy Comrie, Inez Dickens, Robert Jackson, Diane Mealy & Melissa Mark-Viverito along with Ralph McDaniels of Video Music Box, Jineea Butler of the Social Services of Hip-Hop & Frantz David of Rugga Records.

New York, NY—May 22, 2012—In an effort to reduce gun and gang violence as we approach Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer, the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council along with the Hip-Hop Community and NYC Council decided to take a proactive approach this year proclaiming the week of May 18-24, 2012 as “Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence” week in the City of New York.

The group has also received proclamations from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick in recognition of the initiative.  A report will soon be released summarizing the week of accomplishments.

The purpose of this 125 day initiative is to work with the Hip-Hop Community, students, parents, elected officials, city agencies, gang members, media, business and community leaders and develop ideas to reduce gun and gung violence not just through the summer but year-round.  Last year we had 515 homicides in the city and during the hot summer months crime spikes.  We know what’s going to happen over the summer so what are we going to do to contain the chaos or is it going to be business as usual?  What makes this initiative so unique is that students, at-risk youth, young adults and gang members will attend “Solution Summits” where they will present ideas to end gun and gang violence.  In return they will win prizes, perks, and cash and have an opportunity to work with celebrities to implement their winning proposal.

“We cannot sit idly by another summer and let crime and violence compromise public safety.  It’s time for community residents, celebrities, community and business leaders to play a more active role towards ending gun and gang violence.  You can be sure the Hip-Hop Community will now take the lead through this life-saving initiative.” stated Randy Fisher, Executive Director, HHSYC.

“What we are doing now is making history.  Hip-Hop and our elected officials are now united to improve public safety and this marriage is long overdue and I commend the NYC Council and for their support.  Over the next several weeks we will launch our “Solution Summits to End Gun & Gang Violence” tour, which will focus on Public Housing Developments, high crime districts and schools.  We also have a petition drive to secure 1 million signatures for this monumental task.  There will be a host of activities, contests, perks and prizes to offer young participants that join us to make this a safer city.” ended Charles Fisher, Chairman, HHSYC.

“I want to thank the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council for coming down and being willing to bring this to the City Council and bring us together so that we can come up with viable answers, not just to say we put $2 in, but to come up with answers to stop the violence and killings so our young people can survive and be our future.” stated Councilwoman Inez Dickens (D-Harlem).

“I want to thank the father and son Fisher team, 44 consecutive weeks with no killings is not an easy task.  When people think of Hip-Hop they think of violence and artists that don’t care just trying to make money but these 2 brothers have been here consistently doing something real and positive.  I don’t care how well I speak this Hip-Hop power has a far more impact and influence on our young people.  The state and city needs to put their money where their mouth is and fund this program because they are willing to go out here and reach the population that we can’t reach.” says Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn).

“I’m glad to be a part of this initiative to work with the Hip-Hop Community as they come out to speak against gun violence as they reach out directly to young people on the streets, in the neighborhoods, on the corners and the bodegas where the young people congregate.  I’m reaching out to those that may want to save a young person to take a stand.” stated Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Queens).

“We in greater Harlem have been really trying to fight youth violence and we need to bring everybody together.  One of the things we have the ability to do is allocate funds to non-profits and give them resources desperately needed to provide positive alternatives for the youth.  The discretionary monies that we have are critical to supporting our communities so anybody working that task to save our youth is somebody I will definitely partner with.” says Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Harlem).

I’m excited about the work being done here and the potential to save young lives this summer and throughout the year.  I applaud the work of the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council and will assist them in any way possible to reduce gun violence and help gang members live a more productive life.” ended Councilman Robert Jackson (D-Harlem).

“Some of the kids in my district are out of control and we need projects like this to offer them an alternative to the negative lifestyle they are living.  You can count me in on this initiative and I look forward to giving the Hip-Hop Community all the support within my power to ensure the success of this much needed project for our youth.” stated Councilwoman Diane Mealy (D-Brooklyn).

“Through the Social Services of Hip-Hop we are proud to stand here today with our elected officials and the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council to pull up our sleeves to tackle the problems of gun and gang violence in our communities.  It’s time for all of us to unite and use our resources to improve public safety and save as many lives as we can this summer.” stated Jineea Butler, Executive Director, Social Services of Hip-Hop.

“As a member of the Hip-Hop Community Video Music Box has been promoting positive Hip-Hop for over 25 years and we are here to support this project that will surely save lives this summer.  I will be doing events all over the summer to keep the peace and stop the violence.” ended Ralph McDaniels, Video Music Box.

“We are based in the Bronx and I appreciate what the Fisher family is doing because we lose a lot of talent to these streets.  It’s time for us to shape up and do what we gotta do to save this talent.” stated Frantz David, CEO of Rugga Records.

ABOUT THE HHSYC
The HHSYC was founded by Charles Fisher in July of 2001, who is also the former manager of LL Cool J, the Lost Boyz and co-discovered R. Kelly.  The organization was created to help implement commitments made by record companies, artists, community leaders and elected officials at the historic 2001 Hip-Hop Summit in New York City.   Participants are taught how to constructively use their time, talent and the Hip-Hop culture to improve social, political and economic conditions in their school, home and community.  Randy Fisher is the organization’s Executive Director.  For additional info., visit www.hhsyc.org.

ABOUT HIP-HOP AGAINST GUN & GANG VIOLENCE WEEK
The mission of this proactive 125 day campaign starting May 18, 2012 is to launch an “inspirational movement” that will reshape the minds and attitudes of young citizens so they can better understand how to perform their civic duty to help end gun and gang violence with an emphasis on the hot summer months.  Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer so we will take an innovative approach towards the problem by coordinating a host of activities to improve public safety.  The vehicle to help us accomplish our goals will be our “Solution Summits to End Gun & Gang Violence” tour.  The initiative will visit schools, community centers and public housing developments to save young lives.  We will also look to secure 1 million signatures through our petition drives while building a celebrity, political and corporate base to support and fund the project.