Father’s Day Pledge Against Violence
NEW YORK, NY – New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo and CONNECT, joined by former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, elected officials, advocates, and youth stood on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday to renew their commitment to end violence citywide.
The Sixth Annual New York City Father’s Day Pledge is a call to action for fathers, men, and youth of all ages across the five boroughs to build safe families and peaceful communities by opposing all forms of violence on a daily basis. In 2014, the public pledge went national and was replicated in 55 U.S. cities.
“Fathers and men are the change agents whose presence, participation, and most importantly love make our community stronger. We must continue to engage our fathers, brothers, sons, uncles, grandsons, and grandparents in the collective effort to end violence. With their continued support and involvement, our communities will become a safer place to live, work, and raise our families,” said Council Member Cumbo, Chair of the Women’s Issues Committee.
“It’s an honor to collaborate with New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo and our many co-sponsors on the 6th Annual Father’s Day Pledge Against Violence,” said Quentin Walcott, Co-Executive Director of CONNECT. “This yearly gathering on the steps of City Hall gives fathers and men a public forum to stand up to violence in our homes, schools and communities, and express solidarity for all victims and survivors. We encourage men to bring their families and young people of all ages to see change in action.”
The Honorable David N. Dinkins, the 106th Mayor of the City of New York, a father and grandfather of two delivered the opening remarks during the rally held less than two weeks before thousands of households observe Father’s Day on June 21.
“Today, I am here with all of you, to take a stand against violence. I am here not only for my children and grandchildren, but for all children and grandchildren who deserve our love, respect and protection. Children are our future, they are the source of our nation’s moral wealth, and we must be invested in them. It is an investment that has no price, but it has great value, and MUST NOT be misspent,” said former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins. “It is important that we be there, right by their sides, and they must always know that they are safe, that we have their backs, and that no one gets anywhere in life without the help of others. Violence can always be prevented – it is up to all of us to take a stand!”
Several city elected officials and advocacy organizations were also in attendance to celebrate the importance of community engagement and empowerment.
“As a parent, my most important responsibility is serving as a role model for my children. I know that I must teach my two boys to respect girls so that when they are men, they will respect women,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “Each and every one of us has the capacity to make a
difference – I thank Council Member Cumbo and CONNECT for hosting this event and giving so many fathers and men an opportunity to stand up and be role models for the next generation.”
“This pledge is for the fathers and men to take a stand and speak out against domestic violence and child abuse. Violence against women is not a women’s issue – it’s a community issue; and we, as men, are a part of the community as fathers, brothers, uncles and friends. There are a number of ways to combat violence in our communities and bring peace and safety back into our homes. Taking this pledge is a first step to end violence. I commend Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo for continuing this initiative which was created in 2010 by Council Member Julissa Ferreras and CONNECT,” said Council Member Andy King, Co-Chair of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus.
“I am honored to be part of the sixth annual Father’s Day Pledge and thankful to Councilmember Laurie Cumbo and CONNECT-NYC for organizing such an important event,” said Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence. “Fathers and men play an important role in ending intimate partner violence and intergenerational cycles of abuse. By committing to end violence in our homes and communities, those here today are making a promise to be Upstanders.”
“At Safe Horizon, we are proud to play our part. From our social workers and case managers who answer hotline calls and provide immediate victim assistance in the community to our attorneys who obtain tangible relief in the courts, we work tirelessly to respond to the worst that society offers,” said Michael Polengerg, the Vice President of Government Affairs for Safe Horizon. “But it takes so much more…and so we are grateful to the bystanders who see hateful actions and step in to offer help…to the clergy leaders who play leadership roles in communities impacted by crime…to the elected and appointed officials who have elevated these issues not only in their words but in our city’s budgets…it is all of our responsibilities to send an unequivocal message that violence has no place in our society.”
“All fathers should pledge to end violence. And, all America should pledge to end inequality for women. Both pledges being honored will be a monumental step in preventing and reducing domestic violence,” said Larry Lee, the executive director of the New York Asian Women’s Center.
Byron Hurt, a filmmaker and social activist, spoke with his 5 year old daughter at his side. His speech was dedicated to her and his role as father. “This is a smart girl standing next to me. And one day, as smart as she is, when she is a grown woman, she’s going to ask me, ‘Daddy, what did you do to address sexism and violence against women?’ And I want to be able to say to her, without hesitation, that I actively worked to change a misogynistic culture that devalued girls and women, and that I confronted systemic sexism, and helped to eradicate violence against girls and women, that I rolled up my sleeves and did the challenging work of educating boys and men about how they could stop using violence to demonstrate their power and control over girls and women. I want to be able to say to my daughter that I was a pro-active bystander whenever I encountered or witnessed gender violence… I want my daughter to know, that her daddy stood up for her.”
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