Astoria Community Speaks Out Against Gun Violence Following Murder of Tysheen Davis at Astoria Houses

Bishop Mitchell Taylor, ERDA, announces new Mentoring Program...wants commitments from business leaders and community.

Bishop Mitchell Taylor, President and Founder of ERDA, wants change and commitments at community gathering to stop gun violence 3/27/12   City Council Member, Peter Vallone, Jr. at community gathering to stop gun violence 3/27/12       Full video coverage and follow up Q&A are available in the left column in 6 segments of approximately three to five minutes each. stopping_gun_violence_20120326_2022 stopping_gun_violence_20120326_2023_2024_2025 stopping_gun_violence_20120326_2026-2027 stopping_gun_violence_20120326_2028 stopping_gun_violence_20120326_2029 stopping_gun_violence_20120326_2037

Long Island City, NY March 27, 2012 - On March 27th, Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. joined East River Development Alliance President Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, Astoria Tenant Association President Claudia Coger, Teamsters Local 237President Greg Floyd and local residents to denounce violence and respond to the murder of Tysheen Davis. Following the shooting death of 23-year-old Davis, a lifelong Astoria Houses resident on March 25th, Tenant Association President Claudia Coger called for a meeting and press conference to speak out against gun violence, which was held in front of ERDA’s headquarters at 4-25 Astoria Boulevard. Ms. Coger recalled how she knew both victim, and suspect, 19-year-old Lacorey Johnson. The men lived in the same building at Astoria Houses, and knew each other, according to published news reports. The motive has not yet been released by police. ERDA and Ms. Coger immediately contacted Council Member Vallone to coordinate anti-violence efforts. Council Member Vallone also reached out to the Council for Unity to form a partnership with those involved at the Astoria Houses. “We’re here to send a strong message that gun violence will not be tolerated. We have lost too many young lives to illegal guns. Yes, we need more cops but we need the community to continue to find new ways to work together and with the police to keep our kids safe. If you see a gun, say something. We must stand together, pray together, and work together, to take back our streets,” said Council Member Vallone. Bishop Taylor, President and Founder of the East River Development Alliance, stated: “My heart goes out to the families involved. We absolutely must stop this unnecessary violence, this tragic loss of life. ERDA is ready to stand up and lead a campaign to stop the violence. Tomorrow night we are holding a Town Hall meeting in Astoria Houses to discuss this campaign and we encourage all members of the community to attend.” ERDA will also host a town hall meeting on gun violence at the Astoria Houses on March 28th. The meeting is open only to community leaders and residents. As part of his ongoing effort to prevent illegal guns from entering New York City, Council Member Vallone most recently drafted a resolution to calling on Congress to pass legislation that would require background checks for all private firearm sales. Council Member Vallone has long partnered with ERDA, and provides funding for their college access, work force development, tax preparation and financial counseling programming as well as many other community programs for residents of the Astoria Houses. Source: Press Release from the Office of City Council Member Peter Vallone. OurLIC attended the community meeting to denounce gun violence and presents a full video of the speakers as well as OurLIC CONVERSATIONS with Bishop Mitchell Taylor, President and Founder of the East River Development Alliance, and Astoria Houses Tenant Association President, Claudia Coger   Bishop Mitchell Taylor, President and Founder of ERDA, wants change and commitments at community gathering to stop gun violence 3/27/12 City Council Member, Peter Vallone, Jr. at community gathering to stop gun violence 3/27/12

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