Students ‘say no to violence’

District Attorney Richard A. Brown and many of his assistants and staff members toured nine city public schools in Far Rockaway this week in celebration of the community’s annual “Say No to Violence” week.
On Tuesday, March 24, the DA joined former Mayor David Dinkins in speaking to third, fourth and fifth grade children at P.S. 106 in Far Rockaway.
“The young people of Far Rockaway share with all teenagers the challenge to make peaceful choices when settling their problems,”?said Brown. “The goal of the week is to emphasize that violence – no matter what form it takes – should be avoided at all costs.”
Among the participants in this year’s presentations, in addition to Dinkins, were Detective Steven McDonald, Borough President Helen Marshall, Human Rights Commissioner Patricia Gatling, McGruff the Crime Dog, Assemblymembers Audrey Pheffer and Michelle Titus, CBS News Reporter Lou Young, Queens Supreme Court Justice Patricia Satterfield, Fox 5 Meteorologist Mike Woods, NY1 Reporter Ruschell Boone, Child Advocate Darryl Gibbs, Motivational Speaker Lecelle Providence, and Friends of Island Academy teachers, who work with youth incarcerated on Rikers Island.
The schools that participated, P.S. 42, P.S. 43, P.S. 104, P.S. 106, P.S. 197, P.S. 215, P.S. 333, M.S. 53, and Far Rockaway High School, were decorated with posters created by the students, and the poster and essay contest winners are expected to be announced at a later date.