Celebs, Queens Leaders Team Up to Tackle Gun Violence

From left, Dr. Aletha Maybank, deputy commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; wellness practitioner Queen Afua; best-selling author Deepak Chopra, Borough President Melinda Katz; NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill; Erica Ford of LIFE Camp, Inc; Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore; Hector Verdugo, the associate executive director at HomeBoy Industries and co-chair of the National Black & Brown Gun Violence Prevention Consortium; and Blake Mycoskie, CEO of TOMS Shoes. Photo courtesy of Borough Hall.

By David Brand

A few big name celebrities joined Queens leaders, anti-violence activists and New York City officials for a town hall discussion on gun violence during annual Peace Week on Jan. 21.

Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore and bestselling author Deepak Chopra participated in the conversation alongside Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, a candidate for Queens District Attorney, and NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill.

LIFE Camp Inc. Founder Erica Ford organizes Queens’ Peace Week, part of nationwide movement, each year.