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Councilman JAMES E. DAVIS, (1962-2003) Rest in Peace |
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In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to: Jesus Christ House of Prayer "LOVE YOURSELF" Stop the Violence 298 Brooklyn Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 |
"LOVE YOURSELF" Stop the Violence is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to stopping violence in America.
James E. Davis, a New York City Police Officer, founded "LOVE YOURSELF" Stop the Violence in 1990 to unite inner-city communities and teach them self-love and respect. By learning self-love, communities become empowered to fight against violence, drugs and poverty. "LOVE YOURSELF" Stop the Violence is a grassroots organization funded by donations from our members and supporters. Today, we continue to grow through the hard work and dedication of our members.
SOME of the BATTLES FOUGHT AND WON
Each year, "LOVE YOURSELF" Stop the Violence holds a march against violence. What began as a small neighborhood march is now a hugely successful annual event attended by thousands. Michael Goldstein, the chairman and former CEO of Toys "R" Us was our first Grand Marshal, in honor of his humanitarian gesture of stopping the sale of look-alike toy guns. Since then the popularity and success of the march has spread so far and wide that, in addition to Michael Goldstein, celebrities such as three-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Evander Holyfield and recording superstars Salt -n- Pepa have participated in and supported this worthy event.
Our organization's focus is not limited to our annual Stop the Violence march. We also hold:
In addition to stopping the sale of look-alike toy guns, "LOVE YOURSELF" Stop the Violence successfully campaigned against MTV to stop broadcasting violent music videos during the hours when children are most likely watching television. MTV subsequently announced that it had changed its format regarding the airing of music videos.
James E. Davis has appeared on various talk shows discussing issues of violence in America today. He has been a guest speaker on CNN where he spoke on issues relating to law enforcement. Since his first appearance, CNN has invited him back repeatedly to offer his insightful wisdom on law enforcement in America. James E. Davis has also been a guest on cable network programs such as USA Live, NewsTalk and MSNBC. He has appeared on nationally syndicated programs such as The Montel Williams Show, The Maury Povich Show, Leeza, Rolanda, The Mark Wahlberg Show, The Charles Perez Show, and the Gordon Elliot Show. James has been outspoken about police brutality and its effect on the relationship between police departments and the communities they serve. He has also appeared on the cable stations MSNBC and BET (Black Entertainment Television) to address this issue. Many local and national radio stations and newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and The New York Daily News, have featured stories on James E. Davis and his campaign to stop violence throughout America.
Currently, our organization is focusing its efforts on the problems of gun violence facing America's youth. The recent rash of deadly school shootings in elementary and high schools indicates more and more how organizations such as "LOVE YOURSELF" Stop the Violence are needed to teach children to love and respect human life.
In the same way that he challenged MTV to stop playing violent music videos during hours when children were likely to be watching, James E. Davis continues to fight for a rating system for radio. In many instances, CDs or songs that carry parental advisory warning labels in stores are played at will on the radio. A ratings system will prohibit radio stations from playing songs containing violent and/or sexually explicit lyrics during the daytime hours, when children are most likely to be listening, is one of his many goals.
Unfortunately, until our goal of ridding America of violence is finally realized, there will continue to be victims of violence. Over the years, our organization had taken great care to organize rallies in memory of those killed by senseless violence. One such rally was held in memory of a four year old girl named Shamone Johnson, who was shot and killed while she roller-skated in front of a city-owned apartment building in Brooklyn, New York. Each year we hold a memorial service in memory of Gavin Cato and Yankel Rosenbaum, whose deaths sparked the Crown Heights riots in Brooklyn, N.Y.
A LOOK TO THE FUTURE
"LOVE YOURSELF" Stop the Violence plans to use the funds raised from donations to build our headquarters. The opening of a headquarters will enable us to expand on the services we already provide to the community, as well as offer other services such as educational, vocational and computer training programs for community residents.
When two children in the New York area were shot (one fatally) by police officers who mistook their toy guns for real weapons, James E. Davis took action. Like David, in the Biblical story of David and Goliath, James E. Davis, armed with his heart and shielded by his courage, went up against a powerful giant called Capitalism. With the help of Michael Goldstein, the chairman and former CEO of Toys "R" Us who made the decision to stop selling "lookalike" toy guns, James E. Davis showed America that the safety of our children was more important than profit.
In addition, twice a month, our members visit Rikers Island and provide counseling to inmates in an effort to reduce recidivism.
THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES