FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Danya Henninger, Director, Billy Penn at WHYY
dhenninger@whyy.org, 215-326-9213
Adam Garber, Executive Director, CeaseFirePA
adam.garber@ceasefirepa.org, (267) 515-1220
100th Mayor: Restoring Safety Forum — March 1, 2023
A discussion to help clarify candidates’ plans to solve Philadelphia’s gun violence crisis
With public safety a top voter concern as Philadelphians prepare to elect their next leader, CeaseFirePA Education Fund, WHYY News, and Billy Penn will host the “100th Mayor: Restoring Safety Forum,” a discussion among candidates on how they plan to approach policing and the gun violence epidemic as mayor. Philadelphia experienced nearly 1,000 gun homicides over the last two years.
What: 100th Mayor: Restoring Safety Forum
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Where: WHYY, 150 N. 6th St. Philadelphia, PA 19106
Who: Philadelphia mayoral candidates (many have already confirmed attendance)
The event is part of “Every Voice, Every Vote,” a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism with funding from the William Penn Foundation.
Held at WHYY’s Independence Mall headquarters on Wednesday, March 1, the 100th Mayor forum will include candidates sharing a stage as moderators ask questions designed to help the public differentiate among various tactics, strategies and approaches to solving the crisis and restoring safety in Philadelphia.
“The mayor’s first priority must be to make Philadelphians feel and be safe at their home, school, park and work” says CeaseFirePA Executive Director Adam Garber. “Now the community will have a chance to drive the questions so candidates can explain what they see driving gun violence and how they’d shift directions to prevent this epidemic from continuing.”
To shape the discussion at the upcoming forum and help develop questions, organizers are holding community listening sessions in heavily impacted neighborhoods.
“Helping elevate the voices of Philadelphians, their concerns about public safety, and getting their questions in front of those vying to be their next elected leader — that is part of the core mission of public media,” says WHYY Vice President for News & Civic Dialogue Sarah Glover.
“All the candidates talk about doing better to solve Philly’s gun violence crisis, but which of their strategies and tactics make the most sense? This forum will help voters decide,” adds Billy Penn Director Danya Henninger.
The forum will be held in front of a small live audience with a public livestream available. Members of the news media may request a press credential by contacting WHYY Public Information Manager Tory Harris at tharris@whyy.org.
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About CeaseFirePA
CeaseFirePA is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to ensuring not another life is lost to gun violence. We build awareness about the impacts of gun violence in the commonwealth by lifting up the voices of survivors and analyzing data on the drivers of violence.
About WHYY News
WHYY News tells timely, relevant stories with the goal of informing our audience and providing the context needed to better understand what’s happening in the Greater Philadelphia region.
About Billy Penn
Billy Penn is a local news team that is part of WHYY. It informs and entertains people living in Philadelphia, the greatest city in the world. Our reader-powered nonprofit newsroom covers everything Philly, from breaking news to urban life to food and fun.
About Every Voice, Every Vote
Every Voice, Every Vote is a coalition of Philadelphia community and media organizations committed to informing voters and ensuring their voices are central to the 2023 elections for mayor and City Council. is a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Lead support is provided by the William Penn Foundation with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute, the Wyncote Foundation, Peter and Judy Leone, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Harriet & Larry Weiss, and the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation.
