Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons called for funding for unarmed peacekeepers in schools during a press conference on City Hall's steps today saying, "when underserved communities are at risk, you're all at risk."
The hip hop mogul joined NYC Council members Leroy Comrie, Ruben Wills, Jumaane Williams and Terrie Williams along with NYC nonprofit Life Camp founder Erica Ford to draw attention to gun violence in the black community where he says the issue is being ignored.
"No matter how much we scream it seems that our calls aren't answered," Simmons said.
WireImage
Russell Simmons speaking at City Hall.
"The recent Sandy Hook incident put gun violence in the forefront but there's a Sandy Hook every weekend in Chicago."
Citing a bloody weekend in Chicago when 56 young people were shot, Simmons argued that the story was dismissed because it happened in a minority community.
"The Sandy Hook incident and other incidents like it are important and have brought this discussion to the forefront, but still it seems that these kids are left out."
Simmons asked for funding for nonprofit organizations like Life Camp, Man Up and I Love My Life that promote peace through unarmed patrol officers and offer counseling to emotionally troubled people.
"It's real national problem," Simmons said.
"We have the peacekeepers in 25 cities and they're just getting started but they need funding as well. We have to fund these programs. All of our underserved communities are at risk and that means you're at risk."
Peacenik Russel Simmons wants unarmed mediators in schools
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Peacenik Russel Simmons wants unarmed mediators in schools
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Peacenik Russel Simmons wants unarmed mediators in schools
