New Yorkers Against Gun Violence

REMINDER/New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Hosts Three “Lie-Ins” to Remember Virginia Tech, Columbine, Other Shootings

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Friday, April 16, the third anniversary of the terrible gun violence tragedy that took 32 innocent lives at Virginia Tech University, members of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) and the Million Mom March Chapters from around New York will join together to protest the ease with which guns can be purchased in our country.

“It has been more than a decade since the shooting at Columbine, and three years since the Virginia Tech tragedy”

Silently, volunteers will lay down on the ground for three minutes to remember the students and faculty tragically gunned down on campuses from Northern Illinois University to Columbine High School. Three minutes is the typical time it takes for someone to purchase a gun in the United States without a background check.

The times and locations for the demonstrations:

Midtown Manhattan: Noon, Times Square (In Front of the Marriott Marquis) on Broadway between 46^thand 47th Streets

Harlem: 3pm, The Corner of 129th Street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr Blvd., (In front of Salem United Methodist Church)

Bronx: 4pm, 851 Grand Concourse (Corner of 161st Street and Grand Concourse on steps to the Bronx County Courthouse)

New York's demonstrations are part of a large national movement of Lie-Ins to protest against our country's lax gun laws. Protesters - mothers and fathers, gun violence victims, college students and citizens of all ages - will remain silent to honor the 32 innocent victims of Virginia Tech and other innocent victims murdered by guns every day in the United States.

“It has been more than a decade since the shooting at Columbine, and three years since the Virginia Tech tragedy,” said Jackie Hilly, Executive Director for NYAGV. “We are going to urge the United States Congress to take action immediately to protect Americans from gun violence, by passing legislation to require background checks on gun sales at gun shows, flea markets and other locations so dangerous people can’t buy dangerous guns without a background check. Congress and the White House should also close the ‘terror gap’ that allows people on terrorist watch lists to purchase guns legally.”

The organization is also pressing New York State to pass “microstamping” legislation that would greatly aid police in effectively tracing guns recovered in crimes.

For information on the organizations visit www.nyagv.org ( http://www.nyagv.org/ ), www.bradycampaign.org ( http://www.bradycampaign.org/ ), and www.protesteasyguns.com ( http://www.protesteasyguns.com/ ).

Contacts

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
Jackie Hilly, 212-679-2345
Executive Director
or
Helen Rosenthal
Rosenthal.Helen@gmail.com