the activist

The ActivistJANUARY

Gerardo Corral Jr., 27

Philip Chau, 21

Charles Cheatham, 31

Jesse Valencia, 6

Jesus Cruz-Gonsalez, 19

Grecia Del Real, 21

Danielle Hagberry, 22

Joel Lamas, 27

Antonio Carlos Jr., 34

aLuis Gomez, 39

Kristian Rodriguez, 20

Julio Olivares, 34

Charles Montgomery, 24

Erik Hopkins, 20

Bryan Barraza, 17

Erik Diaz, 19

Lisa La Pierre, 42

Wenwa Chao, 53

Jenny Sor, 40

Brandon Wright, 27

Brittany Howard, 23

Ivison Washington, 27

Pharroah Milner, 36

Louis Velazquez, 18

Dontae Cotton, 28

Marquise Ortiz, 19

Angel Caldera, 34

Eddy Hernandez, 30

Lovell May III, 19

Michael Kelly, 27

Diamond Johnson, 27

Martha Starr, 59

Deshawn Hopson, 17

Jennifer Darling-Wade, 33

Jonathan Cordova, 18

FebRUARY

Emilio Borges, 24

Eddie Carroll, 40

Juan Rivera, 46

Brian Macias, 17

Ira Koger, 21

Johnny Thomas, 34

Carlos Rodriguez, 17

Jesus Peralta, 29

Eloyn Morales, 19

Rodolfo Martinez, 28

Carlos Diaz, 26

Carlos Martinez, 18

John Aguilera, 35

Kyantra Harris, 22

Gumaro Velazquez, 61

Carlos Valencia, 30

Martell Reed, 18

Rogelio Reyes, 20

Ronald Lamonte Barron, 40

Sean McKinley, 25

Ruben Analco, 18

Darnell Jackson, 22

Willie Ware III, 44

James Withers Jr., 20

Deshawn Sanders, 23

Cheng Zhang, 43

Juan Carrizoza, 22

Prithesh Dunn, 15

Jesus Peralta, 29

Maria Barerra, 42

Jesus Cazeres Alonzo, 27

MARch

Vera Matusevich, 73

Kendahl Williams, 18

Mario Jaramillo, 43

Che Grady, 39

Karine Hakobyan, 38

Sebastian Caldera Jr., 18

Tito Vargas, 35

Tyreace Ross, 19

Reginald Montanez, 21

Domingo Reyes, 33

Norman Schureman, 50

Stephen Bours, 30

Ramon Sibrian, 18

John Quinata, 29

Steven Washington, 27

Anthony Freeman, 42

Robert Gipson, 23

Adrian Steele, 25

Isaac Ornelas, 30

Alejandro Hernandez, 20

Casandra Jacobo, 17

Jorge Rueda, 38

Robert Acosta, 20

Ryan O’Connell, 29

Ramon Requena, 20

Michael Scott, 29

Julie Kates, 46

Raymond Camberos, 19

Manuel Holguin, 33

Cesar Diaz, 15

Abraham Rodriguez, 17

Juan Sanchez, 20

Quincy Tillett, 18

Sergio Hernandez Trejo, 26

Miguel Pasaye, 26

Ronisha Chatman, 22

Fred Godbolt, 21

Ricardo Mendoza, 27

Kevin Bautista, 21

Frederico Paz-Contreras, 45

Daniel Smith, 20

Vanessa Rankins, 21

Mario De Leon Rivera, 51

Carlos Venegas, 21

Ignatius Steward

Jose Hernandez, 24

Jeffrey Jackson, 17

Jorge Garcia, 17

Emanual Dorsey, 30

Moises Castro, 25

Ivan Castro, 20

Sandra Lopez De Mangandi, 44

ApRil

Lejoy Grissom, 27

Timothy Monroe, 72

Aaron Bascomb, 22

Natasha Cobian,23

Angel Joseph Berrios, 1

Angel Berrios Jr., 25

Leante Moore, 16

Conrad Phillip, 41

Miss Welch, 21

Anel Juarez, 37

Jorge Aguilar, 33

Gerardo Pizarro, 29

Victor Infante, 23

Ricardo Alcarez, 27

Brian De Loach, 37

Bahati Dunbar, 40

Jonathan Val, 17

Allen Alexander, 48

Dante Willis, 24

Michael Mccall, 44

Vincent Ramos, 31

Ramond Allen, 36

Curley Ross, 45

Richard Chavez, 33

Drexler Boyce, 18

Christopher Chorpening, 51

Miguel Heredia, 16

Julio Garcia, 46

Mario Tovar, 59

Dion Franklin, 35

Verner Keene, 25

Francisco Javier Mendez, 19

Pedro Mendoza, 22

Trevon Coats, 17

Christopher Gaither, 33

Rhett Lord, 23

Darlene Robles, 17

Taishawn Wallace, 30

Leonides Yama, 20

Lejon Robins, 40

Vance Dean, 40

Michael Echevrria, 20

Reynaud Cage Jr., 48

Vardan Tofalyan, 30

Harut Baburyan, 28

Hayk Yegnanyan, 25

Sarkis Karadjian, 26

Yancy Cage, 39

Roberto Garcia-Gudino, 38

Deyvi Herrera, 32

Gerald Ramirez, 29

Jose Sanchez, 19

Robert Lomeli III, 36

Tina Sanchez, 41

MAY

Edgar Guerrero, 16

Christopher Galloway, 21

Juan Montes, 24

Leonardo Lopez, 17

Claudio Johnson, 20

Ryan Helm, 36

Jose Flores, 19

Oscar Morales, 21

Darrin Simmons, 44

Diego Frausto, 21

Alfred Pouliot, 27

Alfonso Cruz, 28

Emilio Landaverde Jr., 20

Leeban Adan, 20

Jose Sierra, 28

Andrew Caprio, 42

Alexis Wallace, 15

Andrez Burgueno, 24

Shavonna Jones, 30

Roberto Naranjo, 27

Luis Palomera, 25

Savoy Ewell, 20

Anne Ward, 77

Wilbert Robertson, 22

Linda Newson, 58

Christopher Moreland, 19

Ronald Rawleigh, 50

Brandon Hanson, 34

Carolyn Lovett, 55

Jesse Saldana-Alvarez, 19

Juan Magallon Garcia, 20

Harold Germany, 21

Arnell Smith, 20

Donovan Morris, 34

Ivy Bodkins, 29

Jose Sanchez, 16

Ramon Preciado Jr., 19

Clint Smith, 28

Jose Merino, 58

Marques Mcneil, 28

Maxwell Laguna, 18

Jorge Barajas, 30

Alejandro Gutierrez, 19

Edwin Marin, 20

Arturo Segura, 20

Rudolph Barnes, 42

Alfredo Tarin, 54

Demetrius Merriwether, 20

Mauricio Sotelo, 20

Adrian Flores, 24

Serena Tarin, 23

Alfred Tarin, 19

Jana Collins, 26

Joshua Gaither, 30

Lee Kinikini, 25

Jose Aguirre, 39

Ricardo Molina, 28

Francisco Saray Jr., 29

Travion Toler, 20

Diane Newlander, 73

Erwin Ramirez, 19

Joel Leach, 28

JUNe

Frankie Ogburn, 24

Carmen Placencia, 44

Sigfredo Linares, 52

David Juarez, 20

Alvaro Rodrigo Quijano, 21

Albert Valdez, 17

Brian Balderama, 15

Pedro Hernandez, 19

Gregory Anderson, 26

Matthew Butcher, 27

Daniel Garcia, 32

Betty McClellan, 62

Donald Campbell, 52

Cynthia Parker, 24

Jose Suarez, 40

Johnny Robinson, 34

Michael Baker, 54

Dexter Luckett, 23

Lanell Barsock, 29

Mao Eng, 15

Edgar Serrato, 31

Michael McGuire, 21

Anthony Aguilar, 25

Raymond Gage, 41

Rodney Nelson, 34

Joshua Flynn, 17

Otto Paiz, 56

Chris Johnson, 17

George Williams Jr., 25

Victor De Los Santos, 19

Guillermo Huitron, 22

Alvin Dexter, 42

Evelyn Dominguez, 28

JUlY

Gary Lacey II, 19

Cristina Williams, 27

Mary Sternal, 90

Andre McPherson Jr., 20

Ladona Kelly, 41

Kurt Deutsch Jr., 3

Shaquana Watson, 23

John Lavine, 62

Julian Romero, 25

Sergio Gamboa Padilla, 24

Pedro Santa Cruz, 40

Rudolph Galaz II, 42

Roosevelt Brock, 25

Marc Bayar, 50

Jorge Villatoro, 19

Gabriel Camaro, 43

Jody Heard, 35

Vicente Chavez, 46

Carl Washington, 44

Javier Sanchez, 15

Katwonne Stewart, 19

Steve Kelly, 42

Javier Rueda, 28

Hong Nguyen, 34

Luciano Reyes, 35

Enjae Rugley, 2

Elden Mignault, 19

Samuel James III, 28

Raymond Benford, 33

William Knight, 33

Aldwin Ezell, 24

Dwayne Nichols, 37

Rayvonne Akers, 17

Henry Sanchez, 22

Chad Andrew, 22

Daisy Garcia, 14

Darren Dunning, 22

AUgUst

Pirooz Moussazadeh, 27

Bernard Khalili, 27

Anthony Hermosillo, 27

Michael Velez, 30

Christian Alcantar, 23

Danny Renteria Jr., 26

Emanuel Nieblas, 29

Brandon Lincoln, 20

Terence Butler, 48

Henry Thompson Jr., 23

Edwin Cordero, 21

Conrado Santos, 38

Luis Delgado, 33

Ramiro Chavez, 18

Charles Burns III, 46

Jesse Muro, 15

Ruben Galvan, 16

Randal Cleaves II, 23

Juan Ortega, 23

Jason Randle, 21

Juan Frias, 19

Maria Reyes, 22

Elaine Thompson, 59

Saul Melchor, 25

Zacarias Coronado, 50

Sulema Wilborn, 51

Jerriell Wilborn, 49

Jose Sanchez- Hernandez, 32

Ronald Reeves, 45

Heather Broadus, 27

Jose Arroyo-Martinez, 20

Ricky Elliott, 24

Miguel Machuca, 15

Leonel Mateos, 20

Hector Barraza, 20

Juan Pacheco, 28

Alexis and a teenage boy may have been playing Russian roulette with a pistol, but the boy who was holding the gun, believed he had taken the bullets out. When Alexis had gotten up to leave, the boy pointed the gun at her and pressed the trigger, not realizing that a round was still in the chamber.

Watson was not the intended target of the shooting. The shooter wanted to hit someone walking on the sidewalk near Watson’s car.

Barron was a former Crips gang member who, police said, transformed himself by working to steer others away from lives of violence. Barron was fatally shot after he confronted a tagger.

Authorities found Matusevich with a gunshot wound. After searching the apartment, deputies found an 84-year-old male suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The weapon was recovered at the scene. They were taken to a hospital, where Matusevich and the man died. Investigators identified Matusevich and the man as husband and wife. Officials said all indications pointed to the incident being a murder-suicide.

343 gun Victims in los Angeles countyJanuary – August 2010

Enjae Rugley, a 2-year-old boy, was killed Friday, July 9, after his 7-year-old brother found a loaded handgun and accidentally shot him. Investigators learned that Enjae’s brother found the .40-caliber handgun in a closet and took it to a bedroom where his siblings were playing. The children’s parents were home but in another part of the residence. The 7-year-old accidentally shot his brother once in the left temple. His father called 911 and tried to revive the toddler. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. “He thought it was a play gun,’’ said Walton, of the 7-year-old. “Boys play with water guns and things like that, and I’m sure he didn’t know it could do real damage.” An investigation into whether charges should be brought against the parents is continuing, the detective said. It is illegal to leave a weapon unlocked when it’s not in use.

www.wagv.org

ike other life forms, organizations evolve. Women Against Gun Violence is saying good-bye and

hello, wishing our two-year interim executive director Patti Koltnow and long-time board president Sheri Barnett farewell, and welcoming Katherine Hennigan as our new board president.

Patti Koltnow, who has her own non-profit consulting firm, The Koltnow Group, and who has worked for a number of non-profit organizations as an interim executive, came to WAGV two years ago. “It’s the longest I’ve ever stayed with an agency on an interim basis,” Patti says. “And why? Because this issue really captured my heart.”

Patti used her heart and considerable intelligence in the service of our mission, and has proven to be a top-notch ED. In an office with only one full-time staff person, Outreach and Special Events Coordinator Gabby Torres, and only intermittent part-time help, she has done it all. From supervising and mentoring staff and board leadership to writing grants to mounting a very successful Education for Action event in partnership with ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives). She conceptualized

and spearheaded the drive to bring neighboring cities into the Ammo Project, oversaw the annual brunch twice and participated with President Sheri Barnett in the Annenberg Alchemy program for non-profit leaders.

Patti counts as her most effective work for WAGV the media attention she has garnered for WAGV and for the gun violence issue through building strong relationships with TV news anchor Laura Diaz at KCBS and KCAL. Finding ways to keep our mission alive in an atmosphere that is often hostile to it is among the most important tasks of an ED.

In addition, Patti has been able to strengthen WAGV’s relationship with other organizations, including the Brady Campaign, Legal Community Against Violence and States United. Her warm, open personality and know-how on the networking front has been a boon to our agency and to our cause. We wish her well in her new interim director position at the Violence Prevention Coalition, where she will fill in for Kaile Shilling, who is going on maternity leave. Thank you, Patti, for your valiant service to WAGV.

Sheri Barnett came to WAGV 12

years ago after her son, Tony Scott, was killed in a still-unsolved shooting. Gun violence improbably has struck Sheri’s family twice. Her husband’s son also was killed by a gunman. So, she is a survivor of gun violence who has grown into a leader, thereby turning her anger and grief into positive action for change. Sheri has been, and continues to be, a member of our Speakers’ Bureau, and has served as board president for the past three years.

Through her service to WAGV and to her son, Sheri has found important ways to demonstrate leadership on our issues. Her calm, warm approach to people, her growth in experience as a leader, and her absolute devotion to the issue of gun violence has helped WAGV in a number of arenas, from fund-raising to public programs to getting the word out to legislators on city, county and state levels. She has been a wonderful leader for the board, and we all wish her well as she takes her commitment to our cause in new directions. Thank you so much, Sheri, for everything you have done for WAGV.

— Ann Colburn, past president, WAGV board

Inside This Issue:• Legislative Update 3

• 2010 Brunch Wrap up 4

• Book Give-Away 5

WAGV Evolves

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Page 5Page 4

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e worked with the author, Assemblywoman Saldaña; we wrote letters and postcards; we demonstrated at Starbucks. And still the bill

to ban the open carrying of unloaded handguns was defeated. Not in an up or down vote, but in parliamentary maneuvering at the midnight hour.

It’s a strange story, best understood by political insiders. The bill had actually passed both houses of the Legislature, but became a victim of political choices made by the Democratic leadership to put other measures up for vote before the Open Carry bill. And then time ran out. No more bills could be brought up, and the session ended. With a thud.

WAGV had made this issue its top priority, as had the organization of California Police Chiefs. It was heartbreaking after all the work by supporters all over the state, led by two incredible parents, the Wilcoxes, who lost their daughter to gun violence.

Other news from the State Legislature was equally depressing. Mike Feuer’s bill to register long guns was sacrificed to pass the open carry bill—for naught.

There is good news, though. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law AB 302 (Beall), which will require mental health facilities to notify the Department of Justice electronically when individuals become prohibited from firearm possession due to mental illness. Timely electronic reporting will help prevent persons who are prohibited from possessing guns due to mental illness from passing background checks and purchasing

firearms.

Another beacon of light came from L.A. City Council President Garce t t i ’s o f f i ce . Last year, the City Attorney’s office, as a pilot project, had been sending letters to people who had bought guns, the letter to arrive

before the background check had been completed and when they might pick up their gun. The letter reviewed the laws regarding guns purchased by prohibited persons: those with felony convictions, with restraining orders and those convicted of domestic violence. Not surprisingly, a percentage never picked up their guns, knowing they could be arrested for illegal possession. The project was stuck for lack of funds, and perhaps a lack of interest by City Attorney Trutanich. Garcetti’s office is pursuing.

On the federal level, the NRA has drafted H.R. 2296/S.94 to “reform and modernize the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).” According

to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, 2296 would make it virtually impossible for ATF to shut down rogue gun dealers who do not abide by federal laws. Outrageously, if the dealer’s license is revoked, they would be able to transfer their remaining inventory to their “private collection,” and sell these guns for 60 days without conducting background checks on purchasers.

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legislative Update

the best laid plans by Ann Reiss lane

The bill had actually passed both houses of the Legislature, but became a victim of political choices made by the Democratic leadership to put other measures up for vote

before the Open Carry bill. And then time ran out. No

more bills could be brought up, and the session ended.

www.wagv.org

Asemblymember Saldaña informs the audience at the Awards Brunch about her Open Carry Bill AB 1934.

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2010 Brunch Left a Good Tastei lence truly was golden at WAGV’s 16th annual Courageous Leadership Awards Brunch.

Our silent auction, chaired by board member Fortuna Ippoliti, with support from Gabby Torres, WAGV’s Outreach and Special Events Coordinator, raised more money than any auction in WAGV history. The brunch, held May 23 at the Skirball Cultural Center, was attended by more than 325 guests, including a who’s who of local law enforcement and politicians.

Guests had more than 100 donated items on which to bid, including two round-trip tickets to anywhere in the United States, cour tesy o f Southwest Airlines. Bidders also had opportunities to “buy” famous a u t h o r s t o speak at their book clubs, to take a two-hour flight with the LA Sheriff ’s Department over LA County in a modern jet helicopter and enjoy a lunch with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. In addition, there were numerous gift certificates to some of LA’s most popular restaurants, tickets to a USC vs. Notre Dame football game and a fabulous trip to Las Vegas.

Co-Chairs Katherine Hennigan and Maya Zutler gave the official welcome to the crowd, and introduced Sheri Barnett, gun violence survivor and WAGV president. Sheri stirred audience members with her very personal experience of losing a loved one to gun violence, and what we can all do to help end violence.

Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, honorary chair for the event, shared a heartbreaking story about

her family’s experience with violence, and encouraged everyone to take action.

Laura Diaz, veteran TV reporter and KCBS anchorwoman, emceed the event with her trademark warmth and professionalism.

For this year’s event’s action item, WAGV supported San Diego Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña’s bill to ban the Open Carry of unloaded handguns in public places.

A video on the Open Car ry movement drew gasps from the audience, many learning for the first time that there are no laws in California banning this dangerous practice. (See more about this in the legislative update).

A video of a KCBS interview with Dexter McDaniel was shown, dramatically demonstrating why he is a

much-sought-after inspirational speaker for WAGV’s “Dodgin’ the Bullet youth program.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian was honored as a state lawmaker who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to ending gun violence. WAGV advisory board member and Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz presented the courageous leadership award to Krekorian. Krekorian said in his acceptance speech that approximately 30,000 people in the U.S. are victims of gun violence each year, the equivalent of ten 9/11’s. He said if that many people were injured or killed by another means, people would not stand for it.

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Guests had over 100 donated items to bid on at the silent auction.

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The City of Carson was honored for passing an ammunition ordinance over the objections of the NRA that requires sellers of ammunition to be licensed. Mayor Jim Dear accepted the City of Carson’s award from Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, also a WAGV advisory board member.

Ta rge t was hono red on a corporate level for demonstrat ing its commitment to reducing gun violence. Target’s Jada Curtis accepted the award from Laura Diaz.

Former WAGV board member Jackie Gottlieb, whose son was murdered by a gunman, received special recognition for her long-term and passionate commitment to the gun-violence issue. She accepted her award from board chair Ann Reiss Lane.

Once again, the LAPD Gun Unit generously donated their time to display guns that have been confiscated on the streets of Los Angeles. Their table was mobbed by guests who asked questions about the shocking array of weapons.

This is WAGV’s most important fundraiser of the year, so please mark your calendars now for the celebration of our 17th year on Sunday, May 22, 2011, at the Skirball Cultural Center. For a video of TV news coverage of the brunch, videos shown at the brunch and a slideshow, visit the WAGV website at www.wagv.org.

clockwise from top left: event emcee cbs Anchor laura Diaz (left ) with the 2010 honorees; honorary event chair l.A. city controller Wendy greuel shares her personal experience with violence; From left: california Assemblymember Kevin de león, lApD chief charlie beck and state controller John chaing; target team members with lApD commander sharon papa, fourth from left.

special thanks to Our corporate & Foundation brunch sponsors

AT&TCedars-Sinai

Kaiser PermanenteLongo Toyota-Scion-Lexus

Magestic Realty FoundationNBC Universal

TargetThe California Wellness Foundation

University of Southern CaliforniaWells Fargo

www.wagv.org

Lee & Arlene AlpertAmerican CinemathequeAnonymousAquarium of the PacificArchipelago BotanicalsArchitecture Tours of Los AngelesBeacon, An Asian CaféBucklind & Lucy BeeryVicki BrandBristol FarmsCafé SurfasCalifornia Pizza KitchenCallaway Vineyard & WineryCarnival RestaurantCentury City Chamber of CommerceChef Eric’s Culinary ClassroomJane DoctorCarol DoumaniDr. Phil ShowAaron & Sari EshmanJames EvansThe Honorable Dianne FeinsteinFord & ChingFord’s Filling StationElizabeth Forsythe-HaileyFrederick’s of HollywoodHarvey FreedFrieda’s, Inc.Katie GatesHaas & Co. Hair DesignHuckleberrysIn-and-Out

Iron Horse Jeans Jeff Levi & AssociatesJohn Cassese “The Dance Doctor”Bert & Ann LaneLas Rocas & Spa in RosaritoLaugh FactoryFaye LevyMark & Peachy LevyLos Angeles County Sheriff ’s DepartmentLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Philharmonic AssociationLos Angeles Police DepartmentJames & Laura MaslonMattel, Inc.Mexicali RestaurantMichael C’s OpticalDr. Luis & Kara MontesPatt MorrisonGina B. NahaiSonia NazarioNine O’Clock PlayersPacific Park Pharmavite LLCMike, Antoinette and Sasha PortisEdwin & Barbara ProberRevolution PrepBobbie RiggsLena RivkinRuth RosenDr. Judy B. Rosener

Sam Nazarian, SBESarah Leonard Fine JewelryRobert ScheerLisa SeeSierra’s RestaurantSkirball Cultural CenterSouthwest Airlines Charitable GivingThe Cheesecake FactoryThe Chocolate MooseThe John Travolta Fan ClubThe Warehouse RestaurantJohn A. Torres, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & FirearmsToscanaTrader Joe’s Laura TrombleyUniversal Studios HollywoodUniversity of Southern CaliforniaWabi Sabi RestaurantAura WalkerKimberlina WhettamDavida Wills HurwinWine Country Gift BasketsXIV Karats LTDMarvin & Judy ZeidlerRob & Lisa ZeigerZimmer Children’s MuseumZina Sterling SilverZoological Society of San Diego

www.wagv.org

Thank You to Our 2010 Silent Auction Donors

Two Easy Ways You Can Help WAGVWAgV is now a member of RAlphs’ cOMMUNitY cONtRibUtiON pROgRAM.

Follow these simple steps to benefit WAGV every time you shop at Ralphs. NOTE: Even if you have already registered, you need to re-register each year.

1. Pick up a Ralphs Reward card at any participating Ralphs store (or use your existing one).

2. Register your card online at www.ralphs.com (use the Ralphs Reward button at the top). If you use your phone number at the register, call 800-660-9003 to get your REWARDS card number.

3. After you register your card, you’ll get a confirmation email. Click on the link in the email and then click on “Community Rewards.” You will be asked to select an organization to sponsor.

That’s it! Swipe your registered card (or use your phone number) every time you shop at Ralphs, and help WAGV. REMEMBER, your purchases will not count for WAGV until after you register your card.

If you have any questions or have trouble registering, please call Ralphs at 1-800-443-4438 for assistance.

You can help WAgV save money on printing and postage of this newsletter by sending your email address to [email protected] and requesting that we email you future newsletters. We can also keep you informed about important gun and ammunition legislation. We respect your privacy and will never sell or rent your contact information. Thank you!

www.wagv.org

WAgV’s book give-Awayhe school designated for our annual book donation this year,

Murchison Elementary, sits in a dodgy part of East Los Angeles, somewhere behind White Memorial and County General Hospitals and Cal State Los Angeles. Across the street from the school is Ramona Gardens, a public housing project notorious for gangs and drugs and bullets, where many of the students at this LAUSD K-8 school live.

This would be a sad campus – so many of the students here have known gun violence – except for an exceptional principal, Margarita Gutierrez, caring teachers and a new addition to the campus, a wonderful Literacy Garden, planted with grasses and succulents in attractive beds and sheltered on one side by a wall mural depicting characters from beloved children’s stories: “The Cat in the Hat,” “Captain Underpants” and “Winnie-the-Pooh,” among others.

On June 7, WAGV board members and staff met with Ms. Gutierrez, her fifth-grade teacher, the librarian and a group of children in the school library to make our presentation. Everyone was delighted with the more than 350 books we brought, donated as always by Irwin Levin and Sandy Weiner. It is always so moving to witness the children’s stories, and hear their hopes and dreams for a more peaceful, less violent life. The universal desire among children who experience life in what amounts to an armed camp is that the guns would stop, the bullets wouldn’t kill and the helicopters would no longer need to buzz the houses almost every night searching with their bright lights for the shooters.

The books we bring provide clues and pathways to happier lives in the future.

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Top: WAGV board member Ann Colburn talks to students about how they can end gun violence in their communities. Bottom: WAGV Outreach and Special Events Coordinator, Gabby Torres, current and former WAGV board members Ann Colburn, Rita Hoisch, Nadine Le Blanc and Sharon Papa with students and Ms Gutierrez of Murchison Elementary.

8800 Venice Blvd. Ste 304 Los Angeles, CA 90034P: 310-204-2348F: 310-204-6643www.wagv.org

The Activist Vol. 17, No. 2

bOARD OF DiRectORs chair Ann Reiss Lane

chair Katherine Hennigan

Rhonda L. Foster Sheila Goldberg Nadine LeBlanc Glenda Meraz Roberta G. Schiller, MSPH

bOARD OF ADVisORs Sheriff Lee Baca Bishop Charles E. Blake Mark Chekal-Bain Chief Charlie Beck Frieda Rapoport Caplan Bill D’Elia Judge George M. Dell Hon. Michael Feuer Rabbi Laura Geller Sandy Gooch Jackie Gottlieb Dr. Peter Greenwood

Hon. James K. Hahn Sweet Alice Harris Daniel Hinerfeld Marilyn Hudson Maxene Johnston Hon. Paul Koretz Hon. Paul Krekorian, Esq. Hon. Abbe Land Eleanor Montaño Luis Montes, MD Hon. Bernard C. Parks Charlie K. Parsons Hon. Joy Picus

Dr. George Regas Nancy Morgan Ritter Hon. Mike Roos Jan Ross Carmel Sella Amanda Susskind, Esq. John Torres, Special Agent in Charge

special counsel Sayre Weaver, Esq. Richards, Watson & Gershon

Women Against gun ViolenceMission statementTo educate our communities about the devastating effects of firearms, advocate for sensible gun laws, and promote youth violence prevention programs.

the activist

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