"Last night, two young men were killed, and two others wounded in Manhattan’s Kips Bay section. The shooting occurred in front of a crowd of teens. Youth in New York are exposed to major acts of violence everyday, and that is why we must give New York’s youth an opportunity to combine their energy and voices to stop the violence that inundates their communities," Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said today.

On Sunday, September 26, youth from across New York City will join Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D- NY) to participate in an interactive forum looking at youth violence in New York. During the forum, teens will both hear from peer community leaders, and break off into teams to share stories about their experiences with violence and to strategize about what young people can do to make their communities safer. The forum’s aim is to help youth leaders, high-schools, faith-based organizations, and community leaders establish a city-wide mission to stop youth violence. Over 150 students will be attending the forum. **The entire program will be open to the press.**

WHAT: New York City youth participate in an interactive forum with Rep. Maloney to:

• Share opinions about the causes of youth violence and collaborate with peers from across the country about what young people can do to make their communities safer.
• Participate in a panel discussion with national leaders, violence prevention experts, entertainment industry representatives, and law enforcement officials.
• Help formulate a legislative initiative to address the problems of youth violence.
• Learn about anti-violence initiatives for local schools and communities.
• Create media projects related to the problems of youth violence.

WHO: Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY); Ms. Malkia M’Buzi Moore, Alliance for Justice, Program Manager of the Co/Motion Youth Gun Violence Prevention Initiative; Ms. Tasha Williams, Youth Force Leader; Dr. Jean Cirillo, Psychologist and Leading Expert on Youth Violence Prevention; Mr. Leinz Vales, Global Kids Youth Leader; Ms. Tina Johnstone, Northeast Director of the Bell Campaign, Vice-President of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, and co-founder of the Silent March

WHEN: Sunday, September 26, 1999, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

WHERE: Hunter College, "West Building" Corner of Lexington Ave. and 68th Street, Room 714

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