By The Star Staff
With the motto “Not One More Bullet in the Air, 21 Years United for Life,” the Public Housing Administration together with community leader Roberto “Papo Christian” Pérez and other leaders earlier this week announced the 21st crusade “United for Peace,” which will take place next Tuesday, Dec. 3 starting at 9 a.m. from the Manuel A. Pérez residential complex in San Juan.
The National Crusade Against Shooting in the Air in Puerto Rico arose from the concern of Pérez in 2004 due to the high incidence of tragedies at New Year’s Eve parties caused by stray bullets. Since then, it has been held annually without interruption.
Housing Secretary William Rodríguez Rodríguez noted that “one more year we join this important feat that began in our residential areas, to call together against shooting in the air during Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities.”
“We will raise our voice for peace and healthy coexistence in our communities and throughout the island, to ensure that not a single life is lost due to this irresponsible practice,” the official said.
This year, a large caravan will tour the public housing complexes in San Juan.
Rodríguez added that “this effort is aligned with the Plan for Social Reconstruction and Prevention of Violence presented by Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi, which seeks to transform behaviors toward a culture of peace, promote mental health care, and reduce inequality. We are working to build a safer and more just Puerto Rico for all.”
The first march against shooting in the air took place on Dec. 7, 2004 at the Manuel A. Pérez residential complex. In 2011, Law 219 was created, which declared December as the “Not One Shot in the Air Alert Month” and a “Not One Shot in the Air Alert Day,” following the call from the public housing sector.
Among the fatal victims as a result of shots fired into the air are Jessica Pacheco, age 9, from the Juan César Cordero residential complex in 2003, Francisco Javier Cancel, age 14, from Toa Baja in 2010, and Karla Michelle Negrón, age 15, from Villa Palmeras in 2011.
Attending Tuesday’s announcement were personnel from the Housing and Public Safety departments, the Municipality of San Juan and the Municipal Police of San Juan, religious leaders, council presidents and community leaders from several public housing developments.
Comments