Trial
of Heeding God's Call members
26May09
26May09
Over 300 T-shirt with the names of
people that were murdered in the
area.
Phila. gun-shop protesters acquitted
By Vernon Clark
Philadelphia
Inquirer - 05/27/2009
Twelve
activists from the interfaith group Heeding God's Call who were
arrested at Colosimo's gun shop in Philadelphia in January were
acquitted of all charges in a one-day bench trial in Municipal Court.
Twelve activists from the interfaith group Heeding God's Call who were arrested at Colosimo's gun shop in Philadelphia in January were acquitted of all charges in a one-day bench trial in Municipal Court.
Judge acquits gun protesters
Julie Shaw
Philadelphia
Daily News - 05/27/2009
Melissa DeLong wiped a tear from her eye as she told a Philadelphia judge yesterday the story of a 4-year-old boy gunned down in Camden last year after being caught in a crossfire between two men.
Rev. Michelle Bartlow of FUMCOG
at the noon support rally.
Statement of Darrell (Drick) Boyd
...
For years I was troubled by the nightly reports of violence and death on the streets of Philadelphia, and I agonized over the statistics of violence in our city. I wondered what could I, as an individual and as a Christian do in response to the reports I was hearing.
...
Last year I became part of the group, Heeding God’s Call. As a part of that group, I learned about the Code of Conduct for Responsible Gun Dealers that had been signed by Wal-Mart. I also learned that historically Colisimo’s Gun Shop had been a major source of illegal guns in this area.
...
So, on Friday, January 16 a little after 2 pm, I rang the buzzer in Mr. Colisimo’s store. I had a copy of the Code of Conduct in my pocket and my purpose was to offer him another opportunity to sign the code. I rang the buzzer and was refused entry to the store. When it became apparent they were not going to let us in, I and the two others with me sat down in front of the door to the shop.
...
For years I was troubled by the nightly reports of violence and death on the streets of Philadelphia, and I agonized over the statistics of violence in our city. I wondered what could I, as an individual and as a Christian do in response to the reports I was hearing.
...
Last year I became part of the group, Heeding God’s Call. As a part of that group, I learned about the Code of Conduct for Responsible Gun Dealers that had been signed by Wal-Mart. I also learned that historically Colisimo’s Gun Shop had been a major source of illegal guns in this area.
...
So, on Friday, January 16 a little after 2 pm, I rang the buzzer in Mr. Colisimo’s store. I had a copy of the Code of Conduct in my pocket and my purpose was to offer him another opportunity to sign the code. I rang the buzzer and was refused entry to the store. When it became apparent they were not going to let us in, I and the two others with me sat down in front of the door to the shop.
...
Gun Violence Prevention page of Heeding God's Call.
Photos 1, 2 & 5 taken by Ray Torres
All others taken by Rich Gardner