The Community Gun Violence Prevention Alliance is inviting Alachua County residents to participate in a series of upcoming town hall meetings that will help shape a countywide strategic plan to address gun violence.
The first meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and will be hosted by the Black on Black Crime Task Force at Gainesville Police Department headquarters (545 NW 8th Ave. in Gainesville)
The alliance, which is in a partnership with Alachua County, the city of Gainesville, the Children’s Trust of Alachua County and Santa Fe College, has contracted DPI LLC to facilitate the planning process and gather community input.
“Preventing gun violence takes all of us working together,” said Carl Smart, Alachua County’s executive liaison for public safety and community relations, in a press release. “These town halls are a chance for residents to share their ideas and help shape meaningful strategies that protect our children and communities.”
In 2023, the Alachua County Commission declared gun violence a public health crisis, as it is the leading cause of children’s deaths in the nation.
The other two upcoming town hall meetings are:
- Saturday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. — Virtual meeting via Zoom
- Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. — Virtual meeting via Zoom
Organizers encourage residents to attend individually or in groups from homes, workplaces, churches, neighborhood meetings and book clubs.
For more information, contact Smart at 352-231-1649 or csmart@alachuacounty.us.
Live performance of solo play “On Sight” on tap for Oct. 10
The city of Gainesville will join the effort to prevent gun violence with a performance that blends community action, culture and conversation: a live performance of the solo play “On Sight” by nationally recognized scholar and performer Dr. Micah Johnson, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, at University Auditorium (333 Newell Dr.).
The free performance of “On Sight” is scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at University Auditorium, 333 Newell Drive, to mark World Mental Health Day. Hosted by actor and comedian DC Young Fly, the one-man show blends comedy, culture and life skills to connect with young audiences on emotional regulation, conflict mediation and emotional wellness.
“Art and culture have the power to open doors for conversations that might otherwise be closed,” said Gainesville City Manager Cynthia Curry in the press release. “By welcoming Dr. Johnson and giving him this platform, we are continuing to use every tool available to interrupt cycles of violence and build new norms rooted in resilience, education and understanding.”
Johnson is an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. He brought his acclaimed solo play “Never Had a Friend” to Gainesville in 2023. The performance was part of the city’s participation in One Nation One Project, a two-year national arts and health initiative that connected cities across the country through creative projects designed to promote community well-being and unity.
In “On Sight,” Johnson animates his message with a fresh approach made for teens and young adults. Future recordings and an accompanying workbook will allow schools and youth organizations to replicate the dynamic through group conversation and classroom instruction.
“I use comedy, storytelling, and raw emotion,” said Johnson in the press release. “These are powerful therapeutic and pedagogical tools to deliver critical skills and knowledge that strengthen families and communities.”
The “On Sight” performance, which is free and open to the public, is funded by the city of Gainesville through American Rescue Plan Act allocations designated for local gun violence prevention initiatives.