Stop the Violence!

SNTVR 011 — Local elected officials; representatives from NYPD; NYCHA tenants from Williamsburg Houses, Bushwick Houses, Hylan Houses, Cooper Park Houses, and Borinquen Plaza; representatives from local community-based organizations marched to stop the violence. Present in the picture the five resident association presidents from Bushwick Houses, Hylan Houses, Borinquen Houses, Williamsburg Houses, and Cooper Park Houses, and (center l to r) District Leader Tommy Torres, Assemblywoman Maritza Davila, Council Member Antonio Reynoso, Acting D.A. Eric Gonzalez.

The uptick in gun violence this year in Williamsburg has given the 90th precinct the second-highest murder rate citywide. As many of the shootings seem to be centered around public housing, leaders of the residents’ councils in five NYCHA developments, joined with the NYPD, Assembly Member Maritza Davila, D.A. Eric Gonzalez, Council Member Antonio Reynoso, District Leader Tommy Torres, Pastor Jason Taber, community organizations, neighbors, and residents from public housing to walk from the Williamsburg Community Center on Graham Ave and Scholes St. to the baseball field at Bushwick Houses. This route took the marchers through four public housing developments. When reaching each development the group stopped and participated in a moment of silence.

When they came to the baseball field they listened as the leaders spoke on the increased police presence and alternatives to violence.

“We all care about the same thing; we all want to be in a safe community; we all want to be treated with respect and dignity in our criminal justice system,” said Acting D.A. Eric Gonzalez.

“I’m so proud of the work our [Tenants Association] presidents did to bring us together and make this happen.”