Focussing on the prevalence of gun violence in New York’s five boroughs, this project is an urban study which dates from 2012. Its purpose is to bring to public attention the grass- roots efforts to confront the problem. I believe that the process of documentation supports the efforts of those brave citizens and that public acknowledgement may lead to similar attempts across the city.
The S.O.S. initiative in Crown Heights (2012) and ManUp (2018) in East New York both operate adhering to the guidelines set by CureViolence, the group in Chicago which importantly defined their mission to reduce gun violence in terms of a sickness. A sickness requires identification, diagnosis and sensitive treatment, all of which characterise volunteer's activities in the communities I documented. Workers, often released prisoners and local pastors, practice routine canvassing in their catchment areas, organise Shooting Responses, memorial meetings, basketball tournaments and public forums for fathers and mothers. They provide a compassionate space within which empathetic communication reduces chronic stress. Attempts to change a troubled reality in the context of an impoverished community must be directed at different problems simultaneously. In 2015 I documented the Chabad Jewish community in Crown Heights trying to prevent street violence. They realize that the disintegration of traditional values results in the powerlessness of moral codes to guide the behaviour of their second generation. They, along with the active Christians in black communities, see the potential for both diagnosis and cure in a return to faith. Believing that a lack of spiritual values creates a vacuum which is too often filled by self-destructive behaviours, they invest in prevention. Inevitably, 2020 spelled the reversal of gains made by all grass- roots organisations. In Flatbush and Brownsville I witnessed the impact of national events on the community. Gun violence rocketed in the context of black communities’ conflicted views about the police since George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis. More than 1000 shootings since the beginning of 2020 pointed to the need for a greater police presence that could work alongside an entrenched distrust of police intervention. Incendiary discourse coming from the White House contributed to a climate of distrust and disparity. Moreover, gun violence increased because of Covid 19’s restrictions on movement ,associated domestic pressure and general confusion. All grass-roots anti-violence movements will need to regroup in the wake of the legacy of 2020.
2012-Ongoing
Kids portraying what they are used to see in the neighborhood, as part of the S.O.S peace week activites.
Family and friends of Clayton Hemmingway JR, age 16, rallying outside of his building in order to demand justice for his murder, that happened on November 4, 2017 at the entrance to his apt building in Linden Houses, after an argument on the basketball court in Gresh park, E New York. The murderer is still at large...
A resident of Linden houses reads a sign the was put by ManUp Inc in the building entrance: "The KKK would like to take this time to salute and congratulate all gangbangers/shooters, for the daily slaughter of thousands of people of colour each year. you are doing a marvellous job. keep killing each other for nothing......"
An overview of Brownsville from the 3 subway train.while the incidents of drug related crime has decreased compared to its peak during the crack and heroin epidemics, violent crime continues to be a serious problem in the community, especially gang-related gun violence.
In Bedford Stuyvesant, police officers canvas the street after a shooting incident that left two people, aged 24 and 26 dead. No arrests have yet been made and the homicide investigation is ongoing
Pastor Gilford Monrose, the founder of the God Squad (a local grassroot organisation, helping the community to confront gun violence), comforts a family member of a 60 years old man who was shot and killed inside a church. Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
Residents of E New York, gather to cheer and support, during "Gersh Park Tournament, Heaven is a Playground" basketball tournament that happens every year by mid June in E New York.
Youth gathering to talk with S.O.S outreach team members, who canvas the streets during night time, explaining to kids and youngsters about
gun violence and its outcomes.
Residents of Crown Heights demonstrate against violence during S.O.S peace march, part of Peace week, which takes place every year during the month of June.
S.O.S outreach team member talking to young adults, during one of his night walks in the neighborhood of Crown Heights.
Community members pour champagne on the sidewalk to honor and remember Spooky, a 41 year old man that was shot dead in Flatbush, he left a young son. “Innocent people were shot, and it looks like it’s gang-related, and we have to work together to be able to identify the perpetrators; I need people to come forward,” said the police detective who is in charge of the investigation.
The parents of Clayton Hemmingway JR, age 16, comforting each other during a visit, on his birthday, to Ever Greene cemetery. where he is buried. CJ was murdered on November 4 2017, at the entrance to his apt building in Linden Houses, after an argument on the basketball court in Gersh park, E New York. the murderer is still at large...
Children playing with a water hose during a hot spring day, in Crown Heights.
Residents of E New York, gathering near a bbq chicken stand to talk about everything...near Pennsylvania Ave.
Participant of the S.O.S youth program, near his apartment building in the neighbourhood of Crown Heights.
Police detectives of the 77th precinct, during a stop&frisk arrest in Crown Heights.
Two mothers, whose sons where murdered on the streets of the 5 boroughs of NY,embrace each other, during the monthly meeting of "Not Another Child" an organisation founded by a mother who lost her child to gun violence, her organsation collaborates with ManUp Inc and supports the mothers...some of them are from E New York.
Pastor Matthiew (L) of the God Squad (a local grassroot organisation, helping the community to confront gun violence), comforts members of the family of "Spooky" , a 41 year old man, was shot dead in Flatbush.“Innocent people were shot, and it looks like it’s gang-related, and we have to work together to be able to identify the perpetrators; I need people to come forward,” said the police detective who is in charge of the investigation.
Balloons, flown into the air, by a group of mothers whose sons where murdered on the streets of the 5 boroughs of NY. on each ballon there is a name of a person that was murdered as a result of gun violence. the event happend at the end of June, marking the end of gun violence awareness month in NY, "Not Another Child" is the name of the group, that collaborates with ManUp Inc and supports the mothers...some of them are from E New York.
Young adults chilling on a Friday night in Linden Houses, E New York.
Chris, an S.O.S program participant who found a job, and “got out” of the streets, hugs his girlfriend in the neighbourhood of Crown Heights.
A resident of Brownsville waiting for a local bus, outside Rockaway subway station. Brownsville. While the incidence of drug related crime has decreased compared to its peak during the crack and heroin epidemics, violent crime continues to be a serious problem in the community, especially gang-related gun violence.
Reverend Kevin Jones of Peterson Temple Ministries comforts one of his congregants during a Sunday church service. Jones began the Clergy Action Network and works closely with S.O.S. to help reduce gun violence on the streets of Crown Heights.
Brother Tivon (R-23) of ManUp Alpha cure violence team, during a peace march over the Brooklyn Bridge.
The march marks the beginning of gun violence awareness month (June) in NY.
The family of Tyrek O'Hara, who was shot and killed at age 14 on June 1, 2011, in Crown Heights, gathers a few days before a memorial service to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his death.
Members of the "Wounded Fathers", fatherhood initiative program of ManUp, during a night bbq in Clinton Hills, Brooklyn. The program is a weekly meeting of young and older fathers discussing life in E New York and its challenges.
A gathering of Young boys during the S.O.S Peace Games, part of S.O.S peace week. Crown Heights.
A woman outside her Crown Heights apartment building.
S.O.S responds to every shooting that occurs in the S.O.S target area to ensure that these tragedies do not pass unmarked as though they are normal and acceptable.
Members of different Cure Violence teams in NY, carry a white empty coffin to the press conference in city hall NYC, marking the beginning of gun violence awareness month in NY.
An orthodox Jew watches over as a peace march organized by S.O.S is moving though Eastern Parkway, after 94 people were killed in Crown Heights since the beginning of 2015 as a result of crime in the community.
DJ AZ (30), who works with ManUp Inc, during a recording of his new video clip: "Money On My Mind", in Wortman Ave. E New York.
During an Occupy Corner event in Flatbush organized by The God Squad and East Flatbush Village, Ticia Smith (L) is comforted by a member of her community after telling the story of her brother's murder.
Members of Crisis Management System (CMS), during a press confrence couple of days before Labour Day Weekend, a weekend event, which usually has a lot of shootings inside the neighborhood of Flatbush. CMS is an initiative by the NYC mayor office that simultaneously operates across 22 communities citywide in neighborhoods significantly impacted by gun violence and provides violence intervention and support systems.
Family and friends of Theodore Llyod Senior, mourn his death during his funeral procession. The twenty-three year old man was killed during a drive-by shooting while standing outside with friends at H block, Flatbush. Theo left a wife and two children.
A list of names of African American who were killed by police or as a result of local gun violence in the communities.The names were read during a meeting of members of Not Another Child, a local group of mothers who lost children to gun violence, Annual National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims.Brooklyn, NYC.
Congregants in Crown Heights on their way to Sunday Mass.
Mani The Mogul, a hiphop artist who also works with ManUp in East New York, performing in Fine Spot pub,Clinton Hills, Brooklyn NY.
Night Lighting used by the NYPD , in some areas of Brooklyn, in order to help NYPD officers operate during night time. H Block, Flatbush, Brooklyn, A drive-by shooting that happened a few weeks before in that location, left Theodore Llyod Senior, a twenty three years old male dead and five others injured. No arrests have been made, the investigation is ongoing....
Residents of Brooklyn gather to commemorate RBG, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death on September 18, 2020.
Barclays Center.
A group of mothers whose sons where murdered on the streets of the 5 boroughs of NY, pray at the end of their monthly meeting. "Not Another Child" is the name of the group, that collaborates with ManUp Inc and supports the mothers...some of them are from E New York.
A crime scene tape leftover, at the shooting spot of Theodore Llyod Senior.
The twenty-three year old man was killed during a drive-by shooting while standing outside with friends at H block, Flatbush. Theo left a wife and two children.
Police officers blocking participants of "May 19-Shut'Em Down" demonstration, marking Malcolm X 93rd birthday, in Harlem, NY. The demonstrators walk along 125st in Harlem urging local shops to close down for a few hours to commemorate Malcolm X birthday. ManUp members are also participating in this walk.
George Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd, (fourth from the left) marches in memorial of his brother’s tragedy with other activists. This marking of George Floyd’s birthday featured the unveiling of a commemorative mural in Canarsie, Brooklyn.
In Bedford Stuyvesant, police officers canvas the street after a shooting incident that has left two people, aged 24 and 26 dead. No arrests have yet been made and the homicide investigation is ongoing
When Spooky, a 41 year old man, was shot dead in Flatbush, he left a young son. Spooky’s mother and his son are being comforted after the shooting by friends and family outside their building, where Spooky collapsed and died. “Innocent people were shot, and it looks like it’s gang-related, and we have to work together to be able to identify the perpetrators; I need people to come forward,” said the police detective who is in charge of the investigation.
Candles and blood stains mark the site of the shooting of Jaylen "Karate Kid" Flowers, a 25 year old man who was murdered two days previously at Howard Houses, Brownsville
Youth, who are part of the God Squad and East Flatbush Village ( 2 local grassroot organisations who are helping their communities to confront gun violence), walk the streets of Flatbush during the day, delivering masks and hand sanitizers to people from the community.
Pastor Gilford Monrose, founder of the 67th precinct clergy council inc ,"The God Squad", conducts a “ shooting response” in Flatbush at the site where three people were killed in gun violence two weeks before. The God Squad mission: Helping to lessen neighborhood tensions and the burdens on government by providing relief to the distressed and underprivileged community members of the 67th Precinct.
Black Lives Matter stage a protest in NYC in remembrance of Jonathan Price, a 31 year old black man who was shot and killed by a Texas police officer earlier in the year.
On the 25th anniversary of the Million Man March, A.T Mitchel (center) the founder of ManUp Inc, a local grassroot organisation in East New York, leads the 500X5, a united men of colour initiative, over the Brooklyn Bridge.
An anti Trump activist is arrested and taken to a police car during a "New York Triumph Rally", a Donald Trump supporters’ rally in Staten Island.