CLICK HERE TO TAKE MARQUEL’S PLEDGE
MARQUELS PLEDGE is a community campaign to reduce celebratory gunfire in DeKalb County and throughout Georgia. This initiative was conceived following the death of Marquel Peters on New Year’s Day 2010. As he sat next to his mother, 4-year-old Marquel Peters was struck and killed in church by a bullet believed to have been fired by a New Years Eve reveler. The stray bullet came through the roof of the sanctuary of the Church of God of Prophecy and struck Marquel in the top of his head.
MARQUELS PLEDGE is two-pronged. First, in an effort to prevent additional tragedies from occurring due to this dangerous and reckless behavior, the county is encouraging ammunition dealers to refrain from selling bullets on the days leading up to the 4th of July, New Years Eve, and other holidays. Secondly, the county is working with citizens, neighborhood groups, community organizations, churches, and businesses, to educate their neighbors, community and patrons about the dangers of celebratory gunfire and to encourage citizens to refrain from this dangerous practice, which we now know could lead to serious injuries and fatalities.
MARQUEL’S PLEDGE – Individuals
In honor of Marquel Peters, I pledge to stop celebratory gunfire on the 4th of July, New Years Eve, and other holidays. By encouraging members of my community to refrain from using gunfire to celebrate, we make our county safer for all.
In addition to taking MARQUELS PLEDGE, I want to encourage the Georgia State Legislature to enact stiffer penalties for those who are charged with engaging in celebratory gunfire in our community.
MARQUEL’S PLEDGE – Businesses
I pledge, in honor of Marquel Peters, to refrain from or limit the sale of ammunition two days prior to the 4th of July and New Years holidays. By encouraging my customers, family and friends to refrain from using gunfire to celebrate, we make our county safer for all.
In addition to taking MARQUELS PLEDGE, I want to encourage the Georgia State Legislature to enact stiffer penalties for those who are charged with engaging in celebratory gunfire in our community.
