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Author: Leadership for Student Activities

DAY OF NATIONAL CONCERN ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE AND GUN VIOLENCE

* Nearly 1.8 million young people signed the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence in activities related to the National Day of Concern last October. Event organizers hope to reach even more young people this year with the Day of National Concern, scheduled for October 24.

"Although gun deaths are down in this country (and the rate of gun deaths among young people has fallen more dramatically in recent years than for the poor ulation at large), it remains a devastating problem," said Mary-Lewis Grow, national coordinator of the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. "Assuming mortality rates that are approximately the same as those of the last year for which we have figures (1999), more than three times the number of Americans have died by gunshot on our own streets and in our own homes since 9/11 than perished in the deadly terrorist attacks."

Some of last October's Day of National Concern highlights included: * To raise awareness of the toll of gun violence, elementary-school children in Georgia attempted to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for forming the world's largest hug. Their theme for the week surrounding the Day of National Concern was "Hugs Instead of Guns."

A junior high in Washington state brought 650 students and staff members together on their football field to form a giant human heart. Formation of the heart, a moment of silence, and a reaffirmation of their pledges against gun violence took place in remembrance of those students who have been affected by gun violence in places across America.