Mayor Emanuel today joined urban DJs and radio personalities to announce “Put the Guns Down,” a City wide violence prevention initiative. Urban radio stations across the Chicago area are partnering with the City to prevent violence and promote safety throughout our communities.

“While we may be a city of different neighborhoods, when it comes to keeping our kids safe, we are one Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “For every child to live up to their full potential, we must live up to our full responsibilities to them. There is nothing more powerful than an entire city standing together and speaking with one voice, Put the Guns Down.”

A part of the “Put the Guns Down” initiative the radio stations have agreed to:
• Air PSAs featuring radio personalities and celebrities encouraging listeners to “Put the Guns Down”;
• Host a monthly simulcast to discuss the importance of community responsibility and accountability;
• Open and close each radio program with “Put the Guns Down;”
• Host weekly community affairs segments highlighting community organizations that offer violence prevention programs.

Participating radio stations include:
• Clear Channel – 107.5 WGCI-FM, V103, Inspiration 1390, 103.5 KISS-FM, 93.9 MY FM, 95.5 El Patrón and 97.5 ESPN Deportes
• Power 92.3
• WVON
• Univision Radio

“We have the responsibility as broadcasters to ensure that our community understands the importance of the ‘Put the Guns Down’ initiative,” said Earl Jones, Market President of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Chicago. “Clear Channel Chicago’s seven radio stations (107.5 WGCI-FM, V103, Inspiration 1390, 103.5 KISS-FM, 93.9 MY Fm, 95.5 El Patrón and 97.5 ESPN Deportes) are dedicated to this collaborative effort.”

“All four Univision Radio stations, WOJO- 105.1 FM ‘La Que Buena,’ WPPN- 106.7 FM ‘Amor,’ WVIV- 93.5/103.1 FM and WRTO- 1200 AM ‘Univision America,’ will support the ‘Put the Guns Down’ campaign, as part of the communities’ efforts to keep our children safe and free from gun violence,” said Doug Levy, Vice President and General Manager at Univision radio.

“Recognizing the challenges facing the City at this time we at Power 92 along with our sister stations are committed to lending our voices to “Put the Guns Down’ initiative,” said Pat Edwards, Entertainment and Assistant Program Director, Power 92 Crawford Broadcasting. “We look forward to partnering with the City of Chicago on this collaborative effort to keep our communities safe.”

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