ROANOKE, VIRGINIA - United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. announced today that he, and other members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, will team with school leaders and students from all across the Western District of Virginia over the next two weeks to take part in the office’s first Student Pledge Against Gun Violence.
The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national initiative, held in conjunction with the National Day of Concern about Young People and Gun Violence (October 19) that honors the role that people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. The initiative provides a means for teachers and community leaders to speak to young people about gun violence. Over 10 million students nationwide have taken the pledge since its inception in 1996.
“Since becoming U.S. Attorney, reducing gun violence has been one of my top priorities. It’s something I feel makes our communities safer," U.S. Attorney Fishwick said today. “The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is an opportunity to take this message into our schools and let students know that they have a responsibility to their community, to their friends and to themselves. We want them to know that the decisions they make matter and have a huge impact on their future."
Beginning Oct. 21, U.S. Attorney Fishwick will be traveling to schools throughout the Western District of Virginia to speak to over 13,000 students about gun violence, decision making and community safety. While there, students will also have the opportunity to take the pledge:
1. I will never bring a gun to school;
2. I will never use a gun to settle a personal problem or dispute;
3. I will use my influence with my friends to keep them from using guns to settle disputes.
In addition to making copies of the Pledge available to all interested schools in the Western District, U.S. Attorney Fishwick will be talking to students about what they can do to reduce gun violence.
* October 21- Roanoke
** Patrick Henry High School
** William Fleming High School (presentation date not yet set)
* October 24- Augusta County
** Buffalo Gap High School
** Riverheads High School
** Beverley Manor Middle School
** Fort Defiance High School School
** Stewart Middle School
** Wilson Middle School
** Wilson Memorial High School
** Stuart’s Draft High School
** Stuart’s Draft Middle School
* October 25- Nelson County
** Nelson County High School
* October 26- Lynchburg
** EC Glass High School
** Fort Hill Community School
** Empowerment Academy
** Heritage High School
* October 27- Harrisonburg
** Skyline Middle School
** Thomas Harrison Middle School
* October 28- Danville
** Westwood Middle School
** O. Trent Bonner Middle School
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
