My 26 Court Date for The Colosimo Twelve

Trial for “The Twelve” on May 26, Fr. Paul Washington’s Birthday

For those who remember my Dad, Fr. Paul Washington, May 26 would have been his 88^th birthday. Though he is not here physically, our family is still guided by his wisdom and love. We remember his unconditional love for everyone; we remember how he helped everyone who called on him and we remember his true love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We miss him but we know he is still grinning from ear to ear in the presence of our Lord. We still rejoice in his passing on to the place where our Risen Lord abides. To us it’s a good thing and sorrow has no place to abide here.

On May 26, there will be a trial for twelve of us who were locked up demonstrating at Colosimo’s gun shop at 933 Springarden Street. We asked Mr. Colosimo to sign the Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership¹ and when he refused we protested, we also protested because of illegal gun sales and straw purchases that the ATF and Brady Campaign² have confirmed happen there. The twelve of us were part of Heeding God’s Call³, an interfaith group that has been called by the Higher Power to do something about the senseless gun violence in our neighborhoods. Most of us spent 12 hours in lockup while one of us did 25 hours and were charged with multiple offenses.

I know if my Dad were here we would be in court together, facing the same charges. It’s an honor for me to walk in the footsteps of such a great disciple of Christ.

We ask for the support of our community and also ask for those who have lost loved ones to violence or those whose lives have been changed because of gun violence (any type of violence) to join us in support. Our tentative agenda that day is as follows;

8:00 AM Vigil of support, remembrance and prayer for the defendants and for the children and all whose lives are threatened and hearts are numbed in the face of the killing in our communities

9:00 AM Court opens, please come when you can for as long as you can

Room 1003 in the Criminal Justice Center at 13^th &Filbert

12:00 noon Rally - Inspiring HOPE, Raising Voices, Taking ACTION!

in front of City Hall, Northeast corner.

Afternoon Trial reconvenes

1. RESPONSIBLE FIREARMS RETAILER PARTNERSHIP

2. Ten Worst Bad Apple Gun Dealers in America (scroll to page 31)

3. In gun-shop showdown, neither side blinks | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/18/2009

If you have any questions please call me at 484-432-1242.

or call, Heeding God’s Call    267-519-5302

info@HeedingGodsCall.org website at  www.heedinggodscall.org