National Gun Violence Survivors Week (February 1-7) commemorates that by the first week of February it is estimated that the United States surpasses the number of gun deaths experienced by similar countries in an entire year, with a gun death rate that is 13 times greater than those countries. This year's theme is changemakers, focused on those who are leading efforts in their communities, with the aim to share gun violence survivors' stories.
In honor of National Gun Violence Survivors Week, and as part of the A Fan of Change campaign that was launched last month, the Eagles have released a video featuring local resident, poet and survivor Ja'Nell Hall-Ragin. Ja'Nell, who lost her brother to gun violence, reads her poem highlighting the pride and pain that Philadelphia experiences with images of people from organizations working to enact change.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, more than 110 Americans are killed by guns every day. In Philadelphia, gun violence continues to be a major concern and has disproportionately affected underserved communities of color. In 2022, Philadelphia experienced 516 homicides, surpassing a city record for annual homicides for the second year in a row dating back to at least 1960, according to the City Controller’s Office.
The Eagles had previously announced awarding $410,350 in grants to nine local nonprofits that provide financial education and support for violence prevention. The grants were from the Eagles Social Justice Fund of Philadelphia Foundation, formed in 2018. EndPhillyGunViolence.com continues as a resource website which was designed last year by the Eagles, in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia, to bring together information and steer young people to proven and effective help.
