Thug Life Army

After a recent epidemic of senseless violence immediately surrounding the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts (TASCA) in Stone Mountain, GA., the newly-opened performing arts Center, dedicated to the legacy of west coast hip-hop rap icon Tupac Shakur; is no longer able to stand idly by amidst this pointless violence.  In response, the Center is calling out to the local community to come together against the violence through the promotion of peace.

An anti-violence Rally will be held in response to the outbreak of brutality which will allow members of the local community the opportunity to meet with local elected officials and law enforcement leaders to discuss ways to work together to put an end to the violence.  Confirmed to attend are Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Georgia State Senator Gloria Butler, Pine Lake Mayor Greg Zarus, Judge Linda Haynes, DeKalb County Commissioner Hank Johnson, Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel, the DeKalb County Branch of the NAACP and delegates from PRISM (the Stone Mountain Community Advocacy organization), in addition to representatives from numerous neighborhood churches and local community groups.  Also expected to attend are members of the Pine Lake Police Department, the division whose Officer Francis Ortega was the most recent victim of a fatal shooting.

Details of the meeting are: Saturday, August 27, 2005 at 2:00 PM at TASCA's Peace Garden, 5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA. 30083.

Immediately prior to TASCA's Rally, the DeKalb County Branch of the NAACP will be holding a "Crime Awareness/Gun Buy Back" program, to be held at the DeKalb Central Training Center, beginning at 10:00 AM.  In addition to offering cash exchanges and gift certificates for those who wish to turn in any firearms to the authorities without fear of reprisal, the event will feature speakers ranging from DeKalb County's Police Chief, Sheriff and District Attorney to its County CEO and School Superintendent, addressing the issues that often lead to violence and how it can be stopped, including gang recruitment, zero-tolerance policy in schools, neighborhood watch programs, anger management and improved parenting skills.

Citizens of DeKalb County are encouraged to join together with both the TASCA and the NAACP, by first attending the Crime Awareness/Gun Buy Back event and then appearing at the anti-violence Rally at the Tupac Center – in conjunction, these two organizations are bringing the local citizenry together in an all-encompassing attempt to stop the violence that has overrun their community.

TASCA has urgent reason for organizing this immediate response, especially with regards to its largely-student population. All of the recent violence, including seven murders in less than two weeks, has occurred within a five-mile radius of the Tupac Center -- whose purpose is to provide a safe haven for youths from all backgrounds to express themselves without fear through the arts -- and is leading them to rouse their neighbors in a show of unity against the perpetrators and support for the families of the victims. They will also observe a moment of silence to honor all victims of violence around the world.

In addition, families of the all of the victims will be presented with memorial bricks from the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF)'s "One Brick at a Time" campaign. Those bricks, engraved with the names of the victims, will be constructed into the Peace Garden as the Center continues on its path to completion.

On the 40th Anniversary of the infamous Watts Riots in Los Angeles, tensions are understandably high and the Tupac Center, in association with the NAACP, has chosen to take immediate action against the chaos of its surroundings. By rallying the citizens of DeKalb County in a call to unite against this onslaught of violence, the Tupac Center is continuing its message of peace, love and hope.

 Please visit http://www.TASF.org