The number of Americans killed by gun violence each year is on the rise. In Little Rock along, there were 32 murders in 2016, yet that number is still climbing. While many of the residents there fear hopelessly that the violence will never end, one resident works to bring National Children’s Day to a city riddled with crime and gang violence.
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On Tuesday, June 6th, City Director for Ward 6, Doris Wright presented Tamara Farisa, Chief Operations Officer of Balance Communications, with a proclamation, stating that the children of Little Rock is the highest priority of the city and hereby claim that June 11th 2017, will be National Children’s Day in the city of Little Rock.
Director Wright, who represents the West Central Little Rock area, founded the new West Central Sports Complex and said she and Farisa have been working together since February to host the event, “Am I My Brother’s Keeper Community Basket Ball Tournament and Community Fair.”
Director Wright said this initiative was presented to her by Farisa, a long time resident of Little Rock who relocated to Texas several years ago. Although Farisa moved away, her concern for her communities increase in gun violence brought her back with a determination to help make a change.
“I came back home to do something with this gang and gun violence that we have had in the city. I have lost almost fifteen plus kids either to gang violence through death or imprisonment, so I decided that I had to do something as a citizen,” said Farisa.
Farisa, noted that the basketball tournament, will be an annual event.
“So that means every year we are going to make sure that we do something to celebrate National’s Children’s Day,” she said.
Farisa said, although the basketball tournament will be the main event each year, it is her hope that the community fair will continue to grow, in addition to the support from the community. Farisa notes that she has spoken with many residents that are showing a concern and willingness to become more involved with the community.
“They are excited about it. The kids are happy to know that the city cares. And because we care, let’s just make sure that, I am my brother’s keeper,” said Farisa.
Farisa’s 16 year-old son Alexander, is one of the participants in Saturday’s
Basketball tournament. He said he is excited to see something productive happening in Little Rock. “It’s been a lot of violence lately and I think this will help bring it down,” said Alexander.
According to City Director Wright, President Obama implemented the, Am I My Brother’s Keeper Campaign.
“And as I recall, we as a city signed on to that Initiative,” said Wright. “Well, we are implementing that initiative in a positive activity at the new, West Central Sports Complex,” she added.
The affair will commence on Friday June 9th, at 7 p.m.
“We will be honoring and launching our Back the Blue Initiative, where we will recognize our community police officers,” said Wright.
There will also be entertainment and a community fair where the youth in the community can get information on all the activities that the city have available to them through the community programs and other private organizations.
On Saturday, there will be a basketball tournament. It will begin at, 8 a.m. and last through 9 p.m. There will be a $500 cash reward for the 1st place champion.
The event will culminate on Sunday, National Children’s Day, where the participants, team members and organizers involved in the event be recognized, for their participation and involvement