'First Monday' recognizes victims of gun violence

By Susan Luth

For the Daily

In an effort to raise awareness of gun violence, Alliance for Justice, a national organization, brought its message to more than 350 cities across the nation - including Ann Arbor.

A group of about 20 students and community members gathered in the Michigan Union to be a part of a campaign called, "First Monday 2000: Unite to End Gun Violence."

The event featured a film titled "America: Up in Arms," which showed three families whose lives were impacted by gun violence.

Immediately after the film, keynote speaker Clementine Barfield spoke about her experiences with gun violence. "Sometimes I wonder what difference 100 people makes," she said as she spoke about the increasing numbers of victims. "Then I remember that I could be one of those 100 people."

Barfield is president and founder for a local non-profit organization called Save Our Sons and Daughters. She started the group after one of her sons was killed and one wounded during a robbery at gun point.

"I don't know how many more people have to die before we come to terms with the fact that guns are for killing," she said. "People should question themselves about why they have them ... why they have a semi-automatic to kill a rabbit."

Alliance for Justice chose to call the campaign "First Monday," to signify the beginning of the U.S. Supreme Court's term, which always starts on the first Monday of October.

In Los Angeles, a round table discussion was led by U.S. Attorney Alejandro Mayorkas, with movie and television celebrities in attendance.

In New York City, talk show host Rosie O'Donnell introduced the screening of the documentary at Pace University. Students also walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to raise awareness of the number of children who have died because of gun violence.

Alliance for Justice, who sponsors "First Monday," doesn't want to ban guns, but instead wants to find a solution that would lower the rate of violence that guns cause.

"Gun violence in America is occurring at a rate that is phenomenal, and it doesn't have to be that way," Alliance for Justice communication assistant Scott Fairchild said. "It has been decreasing, but here it is at rates unprecedented to the industrial world."

"I'm just promoting education about statistics because the facts are alarming," Banov said. "My goal is to inform and educate others, and hopefully motivate people to reduce gun violence in any way they feel comfortable."

"I am definitely for more strict regulation of guns," said Social Work student Jeff LoTempio, who attended last night's presentation at the Union. "I think the first step is being aware. I should learn how to take action as a citizen of America and learn to stop this problem that takes thousands of lives each year."