Anti-Gun Violence March Planned In East Harlem

EAST HARLEM, NY — Community members will march for peace Tuesday night in East Harlem following a rise in gun violence in the neighborhood and across New York City as a whole, according to the community groups organizing the event.

The march, which will begin at East Harlem's Cherry Tree Park at 5 p.m., is being organized by the nonprofit Stand Against Violence East Harlem with local City Councilmember Diana Ayala.

New York City is experiencing a rise in shootings this summer, according to statistics reported by the NYPD. The NYPD recorded 585 shootings with 717 victims as of July 5, compared to 381 shootings with 439 victims at the same point in 2019.

Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced a new initiative to stem the rise of gun violence in Harlem. The city plans to increase police presence in the neighborhood and engage community and faith groups as violence interrupters.

De Blasio administration officials and NYPD leaders such as Chief of Department Terence Monahan met with more than 50 Harlem community and faith groups to develop the plan. Members of Harlem anti-violence groups such as Street Corner Recourses will walk the neighborhood with police, the mayor said.