Student Pledge
The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national program that encourages young people to abstain from gun violence. The simple language of the pledge acknowledges that young people have the ability to make their own constructive decisions and can play an important role in preventing gun violence.
Since the program’s creation in 1996, over 10 million students nationwide have signed the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. As part of the Pledge, each year the program observes a Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence. During the observance, students may reflect on the impact gun violence has had on their communities, and/or celebrate the lives of kids who were killed as a result of gun violence.
I will never bring a gun to school;
I will never use a gun to settle a personal problem or dispute;
I will use my influence with friends to keep them from using guns to settle disputes.
My individual choices and actions, when multiplied by those of young people throughout the country, will make a difference.
Together, by honoring this pledge, we can reverse the violence and grow up in safety.
Every year, New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence works with students throughout New Mexico on the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. Since working in Santa Fe Public Schools there has been a 54% drop in our students bringing weapons to school (Source: YouthRisk.org). We have worked with 100’s of students in New Mexico and 1000’s have signed the Pledge. Our youth driven program is usually art based. NMPGV pays for all supplies and offers this as a free service to the schools. We work with students in their art classes, at lunch or after school.
The program starts with a conversation with young people about gun violence. With the help of this program, schools can integrate gun violence prevention with existing academic programs. In the past, NMPGV has helped organize student panels, die-ins to honor students lost to gun violence during school shootings, all school assemblies with student speakers, a gun violence prevention art quilt and Day of the Dead altars honoring youth lost to gun violence.
We continue to implement the Pledge in schools throughout New Mexico. If you are an educator and would like to have the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence implemented at your school, please contact Miranda Viscoli.
For more information on the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence go to: www.pledge.org