Washington D.C.

D.C. is obviously the political battleground for gun control issues. The District is a hub for policymakers, lobbyists and officials with the power to make changes in our nation’s gun laws. It is also a glaring example of racial segregation and economic inequality.

There are community efforts to reduce violence, but none are as powerful as Washington politics. Young people in D.C. who face gun violence everyday want to get politicized, speak to their city representatives, and make a difference with this issue. However, the political system makes it so their voices seem irrelevant; they feel like their situations are hopeless. We hope to give residents an opportunity to share their ideas with a national audience. Their stories are meaningful, and they can help make a difference.

Videos

Mordiba Salim Hylton was a 27-year-old artist who had just signed a contract to teach art in a D.C. charter school when he was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in the neighborhood he grew up in. Listen to Salim’s family speak about his life and his death, and how they are dealing with their loss.

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Because of Salim, Others Have Second Chances
DCTV
Washington D.C.

The Hylton Family donated Salim’s organs. His sister, Aneka, talks about the people who are living well because of Salim.
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There's Nothing Bad In These Bricks
DCTV
Washington D.C.

Salim’s friend Tommy describes the shooting of Salim, and his friend Jett talks about how stigmatized communities need to change their mentality in order to eliminate gun violence.
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If I Lose You, I'm Gonna Lose My Mind
DCTV
Washington D.C.

Salim’s girlfriend, Ryann, talks about losing the love of her life to senseless gun violence.
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Salim's Impact
DCTV
Washington D.C.

Cybelle McDaniels grew up in a close-knit family in the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood of DC. Here she talks about the neighborhood she knew, which was where her youngest brother, Moriba Salim...
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How Art Can Make A Difference
DCTV
Washington D.C.

Felix Oschukwu, Salim's friend and a fellow artist, talks about how art can change people's lives, and how he uses art to express his feelings about gun violence in DC.
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When Good People Die Young
DCTV
Washington D.C.

Salim’s family celebrates his life, and talks about how it feels to deal with his death.

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Washington D.C. Updates

Mayor Bloomberg's Young Men's Initiative | Washington D.C.
In August 2011, Mayor Bloomberg announced a new initiative to support young African-American and Latino men, who face severe disadvantages when compared with their white peers in New York City.
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Our Day on Capitol Hill | Washington D.C.
On Tuesday, May 17th, Beyond Bullets joined a group of New York City high school students in Washington DC as they briefed Members of Congress on a few pieces of gun legislation that they believe would help reduce gun violence in their neighborhoods. We filmed the students as they prepared for the...
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NYC Teens Head to Capitol Hill! | Washington D.C.
Next Tuesday, May 17th, groups of teenagers from Washington Heights, Crown Heights and Harlem will be heading to Washington DC to lobby on Capitol Hill for stricter gun laws. They'll be advocating closing the Gun Show Loophole and banning high capacity magazines .
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AFSC Brings Teens to DC | Washington D.C.
On Tuesday, May 17th, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) will take a group of New York City teens to Washington DC where they'll talk with Members of Congress about why our nation should do more to regulate guns. We are thrilled to be joining them on this trip! Gun violence is a daily...
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Fewer Guns in American Homes | Washington D.C.
Violence Policy Center (VPC) released a study this week showing that household gun ownership in America has reached an all-time low. They site some reasons for the decline, including an aging population of gun enthusiasts and a lack of interest from youth; the end of our military draft;...
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President Obama's Olive Branch | Washington D.C.
This week, President Obama invited the National Rifle Association to the White House to have a discussion with gun control advocates about our national background check system and the gun show loophole. Not surprisingly, they refused the invitation. Maybe the Obama Administration is just going to...
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NRA Oversteps Its Bounds | Washington D.C.
When people start learning about gun violence in our country, they're often baffled that such a privileged, advanced nation would allow guns to infect our communities to the extent that they do, with barely any restriction. How has one institution gained so much power that they defeat a public...
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Insurrectionism and the 2nd Amendment | Washington D.C.
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence is a terrific resource for anyone who is new to the issue of gun violence in our country, or who would like to learn more about why the United States struggles with this issue more than any other high income nation. In their organizational description, they...
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Supreme Court Fails to be Progressive, Again | Washington D.C.
The Supreme Court voted in favor of gun rights again, preventing state and local governments from making their own laws about gun possession. It's curious that the same people who vote in favor of this federal oversight of gun laws want the federal government out of their business when it comes to...
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Killing Our Leaders | Washington D.C.
Moriba Salim Hylton was murdered on Saturday, August 29th at the age of 27 in his former neighborhood in Washington, D.C. This talented young artist was about to become an art teacher to teenagers who needed him, and because of a gunshot, hundreds of children lost a valuable leader, and a family...
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