Community Corner

Community Committees Against Gun Violence Gains Momentum

The group will meet from 9-11 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax on Hunter Mill Road.

Nearly two months after the school shootings in Newtown, Conn., a local committee against gun violence has gained resident support across Vienna, Reston, Oakton and Herndon, gaining momentum for a "Week of Action" later this month.

Saturday morning is the second meeting of the Community Committees Against Gun Violence (CCAGV), a group that formed in January as a result of the shootings.

The meeting will run from 9-11 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, on Hunter Mill Road in Oakton.

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The group first met Jan. 17 in Oakton, as well as an additional meeting in Reston. More than 80 local residents attended the January meetings to discuss what action can be taken locally to reduce gun violence.

The local groups began organizing the meetings after MoveOn.org put out a call-to-action. Bob Hatfield, one of the CCAGV's organizers in charge of community action, said he and other members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax wanted to take part and host a local meeting.

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Since then, the group has engaged in a number of advocacy activities, including the March to End Gun Violence in Washington, DC last month, as well as a march and vigil at the NRA headquarters in Fairfax, said Hatfield.

Saturday’s meeting will be to plan and coordinate future advocacy events, including petitions, legislative office visits and communication during the Week of Action from February 18-23.

The National Week of Action, organized by MoveOn.org, will have a focus on communicating with and visiting with area senators, delegates and other legislators. 

Hatfield said attendees from the initial group meetings held in Oakton/Fairfax and Herndon/Reston as well as the Virginia Million Moms Chapter and the Project to End Gun Violence in DC, have been invited to Saturday’s gathering.


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