The Atlanta Branch of the NAACP to Hold Community Rally at John Howell Park on Saturday, September 28, 2013 for Gun Buyback Project

With
the increase of crimes involving firearms in schools, public and federal
buildings and neighborhoods across America, the Atlanta branch of the NAACP is
taking serious measures to help end the senseless violence on a local
level.  Project Rescue Atlanta, a committee of the Atlanta Branch of the
NAACP, is holding an awareness rally in John Howell Park on Saturday, September
28, 2013 to support a gun buyback event taking place in November.  Public speakers, media interviews and other presentations
will begin at 1:30pm.

 Concerned residents of
Georgia are encouraged to show their support to end gun violence this Saturday, September 28, 2013 at John
Howell Park, located at 983 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd in Atlanta from 11:00am
to 3:00pm.  Free food and
entertainment will be provided and a host of public figures will share their
concerns about gun violence in Atlanta.  No
firearms will be collected at this time. 

 Financial donations can be
made online at NAACPAtlanta.org or at the branch office, located at 100 Edgewood Ave; Suite 1080, SW; Atlanta, GA 30303 until
the gun buyback event takes place in November. 
Churches are encouraged to raise an offering
and corporate donations to help end gun violence in Atlanta are also
welcome.  During the gun buyback
event, a local sheriff and police department will work with the NAACP Atlanta
branch to make sure no laws are violated and the guns will be handled by the
legal community after procured. The NAACP will administer the actual buyback.

 The Atlanta Chapter of the
NAACP’s goal is to assist with the removal of illegal firearms from Atlanta
residents, and legally owned firearms from those who intend to harm others
illegally, or themselves (suicide). Parents have expressed concerns that their
children may find guns and mistakenly discharge them.  As a result, Project Rescue Atlanta also
encourages Georgia residents to turn in firearms if they cannot securely lock
them away from children.  According to an article in the NY Daily News, more
than 40 children have been killed by firearms not properly locked away since
the Sandy Hook Elementary incident in Newtown, CT.

 Rev.
Dr. R.L. White, Atlanta NAACP President and Senior Pastor of Mt. Ephraim
Baptist Church; Stephanie Johnson, Project Rescue Chairperson (Atlanta NAACP); members of the Executive Committee
of the NAACP and members of Project Rescue Atlanta task force; Atlanta
Religious Leaders; and community organizations including: Atlanta Police
Department, Fulton County Sheriff Department, PADV (Partnership Against
Domestic Violence), Men Stopping Violence Organization, Wells of Wholeness and
Atlanta Victim Assistance are a few of the organizations and individuals who
are participating in this city-wide effort.

 The public is invited to
participate in this rally.  For
additional information please contact the Branch office at

 404-524-0580.