Boston Announces Participation in Concert Across America to End Gun Violence

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(BOSTON, MA. – April 25, 2016) A coalition of gun violence prevention activists in Boston is the first in the nation to announce its participation in the national Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, scheduled for Sunday, September 25, 2016.  The Boston event, to be hosted by Brighton Music Hall, will be one of several concerts held across the U.S., each connected via social media and online.

 

The Concert Across America will take place on the date designated by Congress in 2007 as a day of remembrance for murder victims.

 

“For years, Massachusetts has been a national leader on gun violence prevention, and we are proud to be the first city in the nation to announce participation in the Concert Across America,” said John Rosenthal, Founder and President of Boston-based Stop Handgun Violence, the creator and lead organizer of the national Concert Across America to End Gun Violence effort. “Despite our state’s strong gun laws, 60 percent of guns used in the perpetration of crimes come from out of state, which underscores the importance of this nationwide coalition”

 

Local partners for the Boston event will include Peace Boston, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, Jane Doe, Inc., Cape Cod Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, and the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence.

 

“Now is the time for leaders across the country and all of Boston’s most talented to band together to take a stand against gun violence,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “In Boston, gun safety is one of our top priorities and thanks to partnerships with organizations such as Stop Handgun Violence we are making progress towards reducing the number of illegal guns on our city’s streets and becoming a healthier, safer Boston.”

 

“Our city and our communities have proven themselves to be resilient and strong, but even the strongest Bostonians are heartbroken by the spate of gun violence – and we’re determined to step up and do something about it,” said Jane Dornbusch, Boston Concert Coordinator. “I’m lucky to be a part of this city, one that is so supportive and involved in these important issues.”

 

Lineups for the Boston and other events will be announced this summer. For more information about the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, visit the website or click here.

 

About the Concert Across America

 

This nationwide event will bring together a network of organizations, activists and artists with the dual goals of keeping guns out of dangerous hands and making the issue of illegal guns top of mind for members of Congress, the presidential candidates, and the American people as they go to the polls in November, 2016.  For more information visit www.RememberSept25.org.

 

Stop Handgun Violence (SHV) is a Massachusetts based non-profit organization committed to the prevention of gun violence through education, public awareness, effective law enforcement and common sense gun laws. SHV has been the lead advocate in Massachusetts for enactment of some of the most effective gun violence prevention laws and of first in the nation consumer protection regulations. The organization does not seek to restrict Constitutional rights, but advocates only for common sense legislation that will help save lives. For more information, go to www.stophandgunviolence.org