Photo Credit: Artist for Action
The Artist for Action to Prevent Gun Violence coalition is launching a series of live events. First on the docket is an event at Irving Plaza in New York City on September 22.
The concert series is presented by Artist For Action (AFA), with the first concert featuring Bush and special guests. The event is designed to raise awareness of the coalition and Sandy Hook Promise—a non-profit founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The NYC concert is the first in a series of national events, including a concert in December to celebrate the release of the film, A Father’s Promise. Directed by Rick Korn and executive produced by Sheryl Crow, the film is the story of professional musician Mark Barden, whose son Daniel was murdered at Sandy Hook. Mark lost all joy in music and made a promise to do everything in his power to prevent gun violence so no one has to feel his family’s pain.
“This needs to stop,” adds Peter Gabriel. “So many needless deaths. So much suffering. It just needs a little common sense.” 2023 is predicted to be one of the deadliest years of gun violence on record, with the United States now averaging more than one mass shooting per day. Artist for Action’s mission is to prevent gun violence by forming a coalition of musicians to help reduce and eliminate the epidemic of gun violence in America.
“As a father I am staggered by the gun violence in America and as a musician, I am fortunate enough to be able to take a stand against it,” adds Gavin Rossdale of Bush. “This is a human rights crisis out of control. There have been more than 400 mass shootings in the US in 2023—from stores to football games to parades to schools. Every person, especially children, deserves the right to be and feel safe.”