Reps. Kinsey, Fitzgerald, Parker and partners roll out new ‘Third Thursday’ project addressing gun violence in Northwest Philadelphia

State Reps. Stephen Kinsey, Isabella Fitzgerald and Darisha Parker, all D-Phila., joined legislative colleagues, Philadelphia police, state police, the City of Philadelphia, the District Attorney’s Office, Philadelphia Sherriff’s Office, grassroot organizations and members of the Northwest Community last evening at Daniel E. Rumph II Recreation Center for a new gun violence initiative called “Third Thursday.”

The group gathered and distributed service and support information to families impacted by gun violence throughout the community. Organizations that participated in this initial Third Thursday event included:

  • Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network
  • Men who Care of Germantown
  • 7 G’s
  • Action for Justice Collective 
  • Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Policy
  • 35th & 14th police districts 
  • State police
  • Speak 
  • Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office
  • 17 with life 
  • City of Dreams coalition 
  • New journey Christian center 
  • Father’s Day rally committee 

“Coming to the communities affected by this senseless violence and speaking with residents will help us understand their concerns even better,” Kinsey said. “People are scared and want to live in safe communities where they don’t have to worry about getting shot, and it is my hope that this initiative will help with that.”

“Getting out into communities and interacting with those most affected by gun violence can play a crucial role in preventing further tragedy” Parker said. “We cannot continue waking up to bloodshed and yellow tape in our communities.”

 “The safety of our community starts with eradicating the gun violence that is currently happening,” Fitzgerald said. “We have valuable resources that we can offer to our constituents to help keep them safe from further gun violence.”

This is the first of the “Third Thursday” events. They will continue to occur on the third Thursday of every month.

Here is a link to video from the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsdLaT0C8_M&list=PLjtqNtfs0bgUZ1F-ILBbwZjYA4eUh3Ngc&index=1