1. Paul Helmke Speaks at Historic Riverside Church in New York
2. Pennsylvania Rally Brings Together Cross-Section of Groups to Stop Gun Violence
3. California Donors Create Endowment in Memory of Matthew Blek

The congregation of The Riverside Church and Senior Minister Reverend Dr. James Forbes, Jr. enthusiastically welcomed Brady President Paul Helmke to the pulpit on Sunday, October 22.

Paul spoke powerfully about gun violence that is tearing our communities apart and about solutions to the crisis.

In his remarks, Paul said "We have a problem with guns in this country ... There are sensible things that can be done. We can do background checks on every gun sale. Forty percent of all gun sales now — no questions asked. You can be on the terrorist watch list and buy a gun in this country as long as you haven't committed a felony and go to the right dealer ... We have a problem with guns in this country and we can make a difference. Your call to action is to pay attention to this issue. You can make a change. We can be instruments of God's peace."

After an enthusiastic response to Paul's remarks from the congregation, Reverend Forbes gave a sermon that, according to Brady Board Member Michael Wolkowitz, "was truly amazing and bursting with energy. He spoke eloquently about the issue of gun violence and about the insidious use of fear and insecurity that fosters gun violence. He spoke about the supreme power of faith and non-violence so effectively marshaled by Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi."

Following the service, Brady Director of Community Mobilization, Alicia Horton, with Brady Board Member Reverend Rachel Smith, led a clear and effective presentation about the Brady Center's many efforts to end gun violence and how people can get involved to help.

The collaboration with The Riverside Church was a result of the Brady Center's "God Not Guns" program, which calls every congregation, synagogue, mosque, and gathering of people of faith to work toward a peaceable society.

In response to the unprecedented spike in gun-related homicides and amidst increasing pressure from gun violence prevention activists, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives held a day-long hearing in Harrisburg in late September to discuss how to reduce gun violence in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Million Mom March Chapters and our PATH Coalition joined with more than 50 other groups in the state to organize a rally, vigil, and press conference at the State Capitol on the same day as the hearing, which brought more than 2,000 Pennsylvanians to the state capitol.

The groups called on lawmakers to enact legislation that will stop the flow of illegal handguns, curb gun crime by enacting smarter laws and supporting more effective law enforcement, and invest in a peaceful future by expanding opportunities for education and employment.

In addition, the day before the rally, the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee held its final hearing on urban violence, this one in Harrisburg. Barbara Montgomery, our Chapters State President testified at the hearing.

The Brady Center is pleased to announce the establishment of the Matthew Blek Memorial Endowment that has been created to help underwrite the expenses of grassroots activists to attend Brady Center national and regional trainings and educational forums.

Start-up funding for the new Blek Endowment came in the form of a $100,000 donation from the Orange County Citizens for the Prevention of Gun Violence. Interest made from the investment of this money will be used for scholarships and stipends for activists to attend Brady trainings and conferences.

Orange County Citizens for the Prevention of Gun Violence was founded in 1995 by Charles and Mary Leigh Blek in memory of their son, Matthew.

Matthew was only 21-years-old when in June 1994, three armed teenagers confronted him and a girlfriend, and although he offered no resistance, Matthew was shot and killed. The youths who murdered Matthew were armed with Saturday Night Specials -- cheap and easily obtained handguns, many of which were made in the very place Matthew called home: Orange County, California.

Orange County Citizens for the Prevention of Gun Violence is made up of persons who share the Blek's goal of reducing the kind of gun violence that continues to result in tragedies like the death of Matthew. The organization hopes that other individuals and organizations will donate to the endowment, so it can grow. If you, or someone you know, is interested in donating to the Blek Endowment, contact the Brady Development office at (202) 289-5782.