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REMEMBERING NEWTOWN: JOHN JAY TAKES ACTION

SPRING SEMESTER CAMPUS SERIES LAUNCHED WITH STUDENT EXPRESSION WALL

The nation paused in shock and anguish on December 14, 2012, the day of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  After the heartbreaking news hit the airwaves, John Jay President Jeremy Travis called on the College community to come together to build on President Obama’s challenge to turn pain into positive action. As a result, students, faculty and staff quickly mobilized their creativity and expertise to create a series of forums – from art to lectures – that pay homage to victims of gun violence and spur meaningful dialogue and action. In a show of collaboration and to strengthen efforts to end gun violence, political and civic leaders and artists will join in the College’s efforts.

The semester-long spring Remembering Newtown series will kick off on March 12 when John Jay students create the Remembering Newtown Expression Wall where students will have an opportunity to put their thoughts into pictures and words. The Wall will be situated in the most widely traveled student corridor, the Lynn and Jules Kroll Atrium. March events also include “Gun Control Legislation: Holding Gun Manufacturers Accountable,” a panel featuring civic leaders including former Congresswoman and New York City Comptroller Elizabeth Holtzman and Jon Lowy, Director of the Legal Action Center at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.  In April, former New York Times columnist Bob Herbert will give a lecture on gun violence and performances will be held by the Julliard School and the Aquila Theatre Company. In April, students will also hold an open mic, among other activities, to speak out against gun violence. The series will close with a special memorial concert honoring victims of Newtown and of gun violence nationwide.

We hope you will join us for these events, all of which are cost-free and open to the public.

EVENTS

Tuesday, March 12

Remembering Newtown Expression Wall
Lynn and Jules Kroll Atrium

Tuesday, March 19

From Virginia Tech to Sandy Hook Elementary
Viewing of “Living for 32”, a documentary story of Colin Goddard, a survivor of the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre.  This will be followed by a student panel discussion on the film and perspectives of the tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary school.
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Black Box Theater

March 21

Gun Control Legislation: “Holding Gun Manufacturers Accountable”
6:00 – 8:00 PM

Panelists:

  • Elizabeth Holtzman, former Congresswoman and New York City Comptroller and the first proponent of legislation imposing tort liability on handgun manufacturers
  • David Yassky, former City Councilman whose bill imposing liability on handgun manufacturers became New York City law
  • Michael Cardozo, New York City's Corporation Counsel
  • Jon Lowy, Director of Legal Action Center, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence 

Thursday, April 11

Express Yourself
Students will come and share their creative talents with the John Jay community in remembering Newtown.
1:40 PM
Black Box Theater

Monday, April 22

Screening of Roger Graef's film, "When Cops Kills," followed by discussion
6:00 PM
Main Lecture Hall

Tuesday, April 23

In Memory of Sandy Hook: “Open Mic Night Against Gun Violence”
6:00 – 8:00 PM
East End of Student Dining Hall

More in April!

Julliard Dance Performance
Date: TBD

Aquila Theater Company
Date: TBD

The Center on Private Security
Seminar open to the public that will include a panel of experts on security questions as to tech and human protocols.
Date: TBD

May

Under the Gun: Gun Violence, Gun Laws and the Media
Two – three day national conference held at John Jay which will continue with a series of “regional satellite workshops” running through 2013 and 2014.
Date: TBD

Newtown Memorial and Reception
Closing Event of the Remembering Newtown Series
Tuesday, May 7th
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Gerald W. Lynch Theater