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Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.
Photo courtesy Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson on Monday joined Bronx District Attorney Darcel. D. Clark, New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, NYPD Patrol Borough Bronx Commander Benjamin Gurley, community leaders, youth advocates, and anti-gun violence leaders at Lou Gehrig Plaza to officially launch Gun Violence Awareness Month (GVAM) in the Bronx.
With a disturbing rise in youth-related shootings and gun use, the Borough President and Bronx District Attorney used the press conference to call for community-first strategies to prevent gun violence and uplift Bronx youth.
Gibson, whose father hails from Trinidad and Tobago, unveiled this year’s Bronx GVAM theme: “The Violence Stops With Us,” a borough-wide campaign encouraging residents to wear orange, attend community events, and share their stories on social media.
She also spotlighted youth engagement initiatives, including community clean-up days and partnerships with local Cure Violence organizations.
“We are losing our children too soon and too often,” Gibson said. “Gun violence is not only a public health crisis, it is also a youth crisis.
“It’s time we invest in our young people – not just with words, but with real resources, programs, and legislation that keep them safe, seen, and supported,” she added. “Peace is a lifestyle that we not only want but deserve.”
“Here in the Bronx, we are tragically and sadly aware of gun violence every month. The year is not half over yet, and we have seen 108 people shot, including 13 people under the age of 18. The shootings have become even more disturbing and shocking because we are seeing more and more children firing guns. In the past couple of months, we have charged 13-year-olds, 14-year-olds, and 15-year-olds with fatal shootings. This culture of violence must end. We cannot fail to be shocked and heartbroken when we hear of a 13-year-old alleged murderer. I know in my heart that as our community comes together with determination and purpose, we will reverse this trend of gun violence among our youth,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.
Gibson also voiced strong support for state and federal action on ghost guns.
In recent years, she said untraceable firearms have become a growing threat in New York City.
Gibson said ghost gun recoveries by the NYPD have increased by 154 % between 2020 and 2024.
In 2023, she noted that U.S. Rep. Richie Torres (NY-15) introduced the Angellyh Yambo Gun Free Zone Expansion Act, named in honor of a Bronx teen tragically killed by gun violence.
Torres has since urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to act further by closing ghost gun manufacturing loopholes at the state level.
Gibson said her office will host a series of events throughout the month focused on youth engagement and community empowerment, including community clean-ups, parent support workshops, and special programming for Bronx fathers.
Residents are encouraged to tag @Bronxbpgibson and use the hashtag #TheViolenceStopsWithUS to share their participation in Gun Violence Awareness Month.
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