In this Issue:

Hope for Peace & Justice Takes a Stand Against Gun Violence
Video of Rev. Michael Piazza’s Gun Rally Speech
Help Us Fight Gun Show Ads on Dallas City Billboards
Art for Peace & Justice Launches at Artizen Fine Arts Gallery
Inside the H4PJ Blog: Backlash of Kenneth Foster Commuted Death Sentence
H4PJ Online Action Center: Make a Difference Today!

Hope for Peace & Justice Takes a Stand Against Gun Violence

Tuesday, August 28, leaders from Hope for Peace & Justice, and the Cathedral of Hope joined with the African-American community, civil rights activist Peter Johnson, the NAACP, the Dallas Peace Center, and Dallas City Council and State Representatives in a street protest and rally sponsored by the North Texas Brady Campaign/Million Mom March.  Piazza spoke a prophetic message of the hopeful possibilities if minority groups can find a way to work together on the big issues:  “If we do not find the courage to get over our divisions, people who will exploit them and keep us divided will con­tinue to rule us.  We don’t have to agree on every issue, but we do have to stand together whenever and wherever we can.  The issue of gun violence is one where we can lay aside our differences and find the common ground on which to build a coalition of the majority. This is not a black issue or a brown issue; it is not a gay issue or a straight issue. It is a human issue.”

Speaking at the rally held at Warren United Methodist Church in South Dallas, Rev. Piazza challenged the Dallas City Council and State Representatives by saying, “I can hardly wait to see the evidence of their convictions put into legislation…I’m tired of elected officials talking the talk.  I’m ready to see them walk the walk.”  He went on to challenge members of the community who have not yet been affected by gun violence by asking, “Can we care about issues of life and death when they may not be our own?”

The rally was held on the 44th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech.” 

Click HERE to see Rev. Piazza’s entire speech.

<--back to top-->

Help Us Fight Gun Show Ads on Dallas City Billboards

Your actions now can help make a difference in this issue.  We are starting this battle on our own turf.  We are going to research and then start a conversation with the billboard companies who allow the advertising of gun shows on signs in the Metroplex area.  If you have seen or are willing to keep your eyes open for these types of signs, please go to the following page and fill out a quick detail form to help us identify the companies we need to target.  Once we have collected all of the necessary information we will be mobilizing you to contact these companies and let them know that you find the material on their billboards obscene and demand that they be removed.

<--back to top-->

<--back to top-->

Inside the H4PJ Blog

Backlash of Kenneth Foster Commuted Death Sentence I have been surprised at the angry, sometimes hateful backlash against the decision by Governor Perry to commute the death sentence of Kenneth Foster. I had no idea it was naive to believe that people would rejoice at stopping an injustice. To clarify, Perry commuted the death sentence to life in prison (which for Foster is 40 years). After the 40 years is served, Foster is eligible for parole, but…

The Real antiChrist: How America Sold Its Soul On Sale now! Bishop John Shelby Spong calls The Real antiChrist, “A searing indictment of popular Christianity by a passionate Christian.” When you sign up to support H4PJ on a monthly basis, we will send you a free copy of Rev. Piazza’s new book. Click here to sign up today!

H4PJ Online Action Center
Make a Difference Today!

To better equip our supporters to work for peace and justice in their communities, Hope for Peace & Justice launched the H4PJ Online Action Center to help you and thousands of others to contact your elected officials and the media about important issues and legislation.

With the H4PJ Online Action Center you can:

• stay up-to-date on current legislation and votes
• find who represents you at the Local, State and Federal level
• know how your representatives are voting
• email your representatives
• contact local, state and national media organizations
• Sign up for updates on important legislation

The Online Action Center gives you the ability to quickly and effectively cause change. You can easily find out information about important legislation and send alerts to your friends and family. You have been faithful in taking action with the H4PJ Action Alerts and we know you'll continue to help now as well via the Online Action Center.

<--back to top-->