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Photo Exhibit Featuring Gun Violence Survivors’ Journeys to Turn Anguish to Action Opens In NYC

6.18.2015

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Gun violence survivors from across the country joined the Dads chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, and Brooklyn-based photographer Joe Quint at the opening of his new exhibit, It Takes Us, at the Howard Scott Gallery. The exhibit, which explores how gun violence survivors are turning their anguish into action, aims to mobilize viewers to work to reduce gun violence in their communities.

“Meeting survivors and photographing them allows me to tell their diverse stories of trauma, grief and the resilience of the human spirit,” said Joe Quint, photographer and creator of It Takes Us. “By shining a light on these individuals and their stories—and allowing viewers to relate to them in a deeper way—I hope to start a dialogue that inspires people to take meaningful action to reduce gun violence.”

“My son Akeal was senselessly shot and killed on his way home from a graduation party in Brooklyn nearly three years ago. After his death, I knew I had to do something to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy my family has endured,” said Natasha Christopher, a gun violence survivor and member of the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Now my youngest son, Christopher, and I continue to honor Akeal’s memory every single day by working to reduce gun violence in our community.”

“When my daughter, Brooklynn, was just 13-years-old, she was killed in an unintentional shooting by another child who was playing with her parent’s unsecured gun. There are no words to describe the pain of having your child taken from you—and it’s a pain I’m determined to prevent other families from having to go through,” said Darchel Mohler, a gun violence survivor and volunteer with Moms Demand Action. “That’s why my husband and I are dedicated to advocating for the prevention of senseless gun violence and supporting the implementation of common sense gun laws.

It Takes Us
will be shown at the Howard Scott Gallery through June 20 and will travel the country after that.

Additional information about It Takes Us:

It Takes Us is a gallery installation that explores how gun violence survivors and victims’ families are turning anguish into action. Presented with the support of the Dads chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the exhibit begins with an opening-night event in New York City on June 18th and will run through June 20th, coinciding with Gun Violence Awareness Month in New York. The exhibit will then travel across the country. You can learn more at www.ittakes.us