6160875 ACR 21-231, CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. Recognition Resolution of 2016

 A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                                  

21-231

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

June 7, 2016        

 

 

To recognize and honor CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. for its community activism and its contributions to the residents of the District of Columbia.

 

WHEREAS, CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. is located at 4708 14^th Street, N.W., in Petworth, a neighborhood in Ward 4;

 

WHEREAS, CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. is a nonprofit, grassroots organization that was founded in response to the rapidly growing incidents of death, violence, and crime among, and directed at, minorities and at-risk youth involved in the criminal justice system;

 

WHEREAS, CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. started with an original group of 50 gang members, representing 5 area gangs across the District, that met under the leadership of former gang leader and long-time youth advocate, Al-Malik Farrakhan, and this group held its first meeting to negotiate peace on February 28, 1995;

 

WHEREAS, under the guidance of then-Mayor Marion Barry and Mr. Al-Malik Farrakhan the 50 gang members declared a truce that remains in effect to this day;

WHEREAS, CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. was one of the first organizations in the District of Columbia to advocate against police violence and has organized rallies and marches against police brutality;

WHEREAS, CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. serves communities across the District through numerous initiatives, including initiatives to feed and clothe the homeless, help residents earn their GEDs, collect and distribute food to those in need, collect and distribute school supplies for District schoolchildren, and help individuals develop entrepreneurial skills;

WHEREAS, CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. has taken numerous steps to combat violence in the District of Columbia, including brokering truces among gangs and hosting an annual amateur boxing match to raise awareness about the organization’s call for an annual 6 months moratorium to “stop the killings;”

WHEREAS, CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. has received numerous accolades and acknowledgements for its work, including Mayoral Proclamations recognizing the organization’s “Jim Brown/Ex-Prisoners Day” in 1999, “Fight for the Fighters Day” in 1999, and “Increase the Peace – Stop the Violence Day” in 1998;

WHEREAS, Mr. Al-Malik Farrakhan, the founder of CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc., was born in Washington, D.C., and has dedicated his life to community activism that has helped returning citizens, at-risk youth, and members of the community at-large; and

WHEREAS, CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. is an organization dedicated to creating a support system for at-risk youth and gang members by offering them alternatives to violence.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. Recognition Resolution of 2016”.

Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors CEASE FIRE…Don’t Smoke the Brothers, & Sisters Inc. for its community activism and its contributions to the residents of the District of Columbia.

Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.