Bryant Temple A.M.E. Church
2525 West Vernon Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
323-293-6201
Dear Brother and Sister of the Expo Family:
*Based on the article "Blood & Silence" that appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angels Sentinel, LA Watts Times and other publications, Religious, civic, business, political, academic, labor, neighborhood, community, black media and youth group leaders gathered for a two-day summit to develop solutions to the problems of black on black violence.
After developing specific recommendations to reduce black on black violence, the community participants agreed to start the campaign to reduce violence in the Black community during African American History Month, specifically February 8th, 2004.
Specifically, starting on Sunday, February 8th, 2004 Religious leaders in LA, Inglewood, Compton & Pasadena would preach sermons to their congregants under the theme "Celebrate Black History-Stop the Violence."
The purpose of this activity is to preach about the important historical contributions African Americans have made in this country & the significant progress African Americans have made. However, the increasing "black on black violence" is destroying our families, our schools, our neighborhoods, our business community and our overall quality of life.
Our children are being killed weekly on our school campuses, in our neighborhoods, in our parks, on our church doorsteps and in many cases in our own homes. Our children are NOT being killed by the KKK or white skin heads. They are being killed by other African Americans.
We can no longer ignore the phenomenon of black on black violence.
We can no longer act as helpless, defenseless residents.
It is time for all of us to take responsibility for our youth and our community. Let's stop blaming others for a problem that we are largely responsible for.
Many Churches in the Los Angeles region are participating. In the Leimert Park Community, the Bryant Temple Family is asking that you join us in the effort to take back our community. Help us stop the violence, join us in our march against violence on Sunday, February 8th at 2:30pm at Bryant Temple AME Church – 2525 West Vernon Ave. (4th Ave. and Vernon)
*If you need additional information please call the hotline number at (323) 203-6201
In His Grip
Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr.
Senior Pastor