SC’s 17th Annual National Day of Concern and Student Pledge against Gun Violence

United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announces that on Oct. 17, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), as part of Project CeaseFire, is sponsoring South Carolina’s participation in the annual National Day of Concern and Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. On Oct. 17, students from around the country will join together in pledging to do their part to end gun violence. Middle-school and high school students will sign a voluntary pledge promising that they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence with their friends to keep them from solving personal problems with guns. Elementary school children will make a simpler commitment. They will pledge that if they see a gun they will not touch it and they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded. United States Attorney Lydon said, “Our youth is our future and they deserve to be safe, both at school and at home. Through this pledge event, our office is continuing our efforts to reach South Carolina students and teach them the importance of preventing gun violence.” This national event is important as it gives students around the country the chance to make an affirmation of their ability, individually and collectively, to be a powerful force for change. As it has done since 2002, the USAO reached out to all South Carolina law enforcement agencies and schools to make the pledges available to interested schools. In addition to providing the pledges, the USAO is coordinating with our law enforcement partners to provide speakers to requesting schools. This pledge effort is part of Project CeaseFire. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Schools and law enforcement agencies have until Sept. 28, to register to participate in this event. For additional information concerning the national pledge program, visit the Student Pledge website at www.pledge.org.