Films

Shimaine, Ja’Vaune, Romeo, Ariel and Michael are all from different backgrounds and parts of the country, and each had a different pathway into the system: foster care, sexual abuse, violence, homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse.

But as their individual narratives unfold in the film, a cohesive narrative emerges of the broken promises of our juvenile system across all American communities.

Discussion with director Joann Self Selvidge and film subjects Shimaine Holley and Romeo Gonzalez, moderated by Toyosi Ogunseye (Presidential Precinct).
Introduction by Brian Williams (UVA).

This event is being presented as part of the Central Virginia Listening & Learning Exchange (CVLLE) and the 2nd Annual Tween & Teens Conflict Resolution and Violence Reduction Summit. CVLLE is facilitated by the Public Engagement in Governance Looking, Listening & Learning Laboratory (PEGLLLLab) in UVA’s Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy.

 

FOLLOWING THE SCREENING 

The Peace Up, Guns Down: Rides and Rally Calling for an End to Gun Violence will follow the moderated discussion of the film subjects and the producer. Community members, first responders, and representatives of various community organizations will meet at noon in the auditorium of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center to travel from the Jefferson School Center Parking Garage at 12:30 to the Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia – Cherry Avenue location.

The motorcade processional will leverage optics and sounds – police vehicles, EMS/Ambulance, a hearse, and vehicles driven by members of local motorcycle and car clubs – to bring more attention to the need to prevent gun violence. The rally will begin at approximately 1:00 pm, to be followed by food and fellowship, with information available from partnering organizations regarding resources that focus on enhancing wellness and wellbeing, along with information relative to safe gun storage and the raffling of a biometric gun safe.

Rally speakers will include Kate Lambert, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, and Mayor Juandiego Wade who both will provide words of welcome, as well as several individuals with direct lived experience of gun violence are scheduled to speak. They will offer insights from the perspectives of a father, mother, daughter, and brother who have lost a child, sibling, or parent to gun violence.