ARTHUR ADHE COURAGE AWARD 7/14/16

WASHINGTON - Tonight Zenobia Dobson will accept the ESPYs' Arthur Ashe Courage Award on behalf of her son, Zaevion Dobson. Dobson, a high school football star and community role model from Tennessee, died shielding three friends from gunfire in the midst of a random drive by shooting. The gunmen didn't know Zaevion, and he didn't know them. 

Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement.

"We thank the ESPYs for not only honoring Zaevion's life and heroism, but for shining a light on this critical issue. Enough is enough. We owe it to Zaevion and to the 90 Americans who are shot and killed every day to disarm hate and stop this senseless violence. Just being a kid on aThursday evening, Zaevion was put in a position that no teenager should ever have to be in - and he answered with instinctual courage and love. With his whole future ahead of him, he selflessly gave his life for others and became another victim of America's gun violence crisis.

"As a nation we've allowed an epidemic of gun violence, one that kills 90 Americans a day and disproportionately ravages communities of color, to fester unchecked. Our policymakers simply haven’t done enough to keep guns out of dangerous hands and protect the American people.

"If there is any solace to be found in the loss of a life so young and full of promise, it is that Zaevion died a hero so that his friends might live. Like the officers in Dallas, and at the age of 15, he ran toward the sound of gunfire. And so long as politicians fail to act on gun violence, heroes like Zaevion Dobson will continue to be called upon to do the extraordinary things that keep the rest of us safe."

The Arthur Ashe is awarded for the most significant or compelling humanitarian contribution in transcendence of sports in a given year. Dobson was fifteen years old at the time of his 2015 death. He'd have just turned sixteen last month. 

Past recipients of the Arthur Ashe include Caitlyn Jenner, Muhammed Ali, Jimmy Valvano, and passengers of United flight 93.

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Dallas Mass Shooting

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

For Immediate Release

BRADY CAMPAIGN STATEMENT ON DALLAS MASS SHOOTING

Brady President Dan Gross: "We live in a country where people solve problems with bullets instead of words."

WASHINGTON - Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement after eleven police officers were shot in Dallas - at least five were killed.

“Last night at least five police officers were shot and killed and more wounded as they protected the citizens of Dallas, who were gathered in peaceful protest. Our hearts are broken for these officers, their families, and their community. Law enforcement officers make incredible sacrifices to protect this country, and we are grateful for their service. There is no possible justification for this type of violence against officers who were protecting and serving their community. And the fact that people with hate in their hearts used the occasion of a peaceful protest to commit such an act of violence is despicable.

“This latest mass shooting is another example of how guns in the hands of dangerous people tear families and communities apart. Shocking shootings like those in Dallas last night, as well as the daily terror that takes 90 lives every day in this country, are a sure sign that we must do more to protect this nation from gun violence. We live in a country where people solve problems with bullets instead of words, and we have to do better. That means engaging in two important and related conversations – one about how we keep guns away from people with hate in their hearts and another about how gun violence and racism collide to disproportionally terrorize communities of color. We can do better and we must do better to protect every American. And it starts with an honest, thorough discussion and collective determination to find meaningful answers to difficult questions.”

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