High School Students Call for Radio Stations, Schools to Play Anti-Gun Violence Song

RIVIERA BEACH, FL, 02/22/2005 -- According to the latest figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 2,867 children - an average of eight each day - were killed by gunfire in 2002. Now teens are standing up and saying enough is enough: students from Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach, FL, have formed a group called Alter8tion (www.alter8tion.com) and recorded “Stop the Violence,” an album speaking out against gun violence. And they’re challenging radio stations and schools across the country to unite against gun violence by playing the album’s first track, “Touch Your Mind,” at noon on March 15, 2005.

Written by the students and produced by Suncoast Community High School teacher Aldric Marshall, “Stop the Violence” pulls no punches. These are kids who have seen the effects of gun violence firsthand, who have lost friends or family members or neighbors to gunfire. Their pain and frustration are evident in the album’s raw lyrics. But “Stop the Violence” is also a testament to the students’ strength - and their hope that their country will finally hear their voices.

“How many times have we heard the figures on gun deaths among children and teenagers, with little to no change in response to their cry for help?” asked Marshall. “Kids are left wondering if anyone really cares. These are the voices of our future and, until now, no one has been listening. Alter8tion’s goal is to finally make schools, communities and politicians hear their message.”

To that end, the group is sending “Stop the Violence” to radio stations and schools with a simple request: Just play it. In addition to getting “Touch Your Mind” played over airwaves and school PA systems on March 15, the group hopes to persuade radio stations to play the song at least once a day in a show of solidarity against gun deaths.

“These students are echoing President George W. Bush’s message in a different way,” explained Marshall. “They too want No Child Left Behind, in the schools and in the streets. They’ve experienced life on the five o’clock news up-close and personal, and they know the statistics. One child every three hours, eight children every day, 55 children every week die from gun violence. We can no longer let their cry for peace fall on deaf ears.”

For a copy of Alter8tion’s “Stop the Violence,” or to learn more about the group, contact Aldric Marshall at 561-502-4921 or klove144@worldnet.att.net. The single “Touch Your Mind” is available for download at the group’s Web site, www.alter8tion.com

Contact Information

Aldric Marshall

Executive Producer

Alter8tion

Contact via E-mail