Sen. Espada Led Bronx MLK March for Peace to End Gun and Youth Violence

In tribute to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., New York State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. was joined by clergy representing all religions, students of schools and members of athletic teams throughout the Bronx, and borough community leaders and residents in a massive “MLK March for Peace to End Gun and Youth Violence.” Before the parade, with pledge cards in hand, Sen. Espada asked the borough’s youth to sign on to an anti-gun/gang pledge to help end violence and hate/bias crimes among young people in the Bronx. The January 18th march culminated in a service honoring the memory of Dr. King.

“In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who professed peace and equality, we are appealing to the young people of the Bronx – adolescents and teens – and to their families to participate in this massive campaign to end violence among our borough’s youth by signing a pledge that they will not submit to the pressures of the street, and instead reject the life of drugs, guns and gangs,” Sen. Espada said.

“Too many lives are ended prematurely because of guns and violence. When children turn to the culture of drugs and gangs, they only know failure and misery and, in many cases, are taken from us at such a young age. It is incumbent upon parents, clergy and community leaders to help our children succeed and to lead them to the path of hope, promise and opportunity,” said Sen. Espada, a former social worker and public school teacher.

To sign on to the pledge to Sen. Espada’s campaign to end gun and youth violence, contact his district office at 718-220-5480.