A basketball tournament billed as “Stop the Killing” lit up the Fred Samuel playground in Harlem last weekend, drawing a modest crowd but delivering a powerful message against youth violence.
Community response to rising gun violence
The event was conceived by Aaliyah Guillory‑Nickens, a community activist who founded the youth‑focused organization More Than A Statistic after a 2020 rally that responded to a shooting involving a one‑year‑old child.
Partnering with local violence‑prevention groups such as Save Our Streets Bronx and Save East Harlem, the tournament used the court as a neutral ground where teens could channel energy into sport while hearing messages about safety and opportunity.
Recognition and hope
Rondo Bonilla served as emcee, urging attendees to confront the disturbing trend of younger shooters in New York City and to see basketball as a constructive alternative.
Free hair‑braiding stations, run by Shataya Scott of Braids 4 Grades, added a personal touch, offering style and a sense of uplift to participants.
David Honore, a Bronx native who learned about the tournament from a friend, attended with a personal history of loss to gun violence, underscoring the event’s intergenerational resonance.
Harlem City Councilmember Yusef Salaam presented citations to Shataya Scott and other community contributors, formally recognizing their work in the peace initiative.
Marisol Rivera, program manager at Save Our Streets Bronx, highlighted how such gatherings keep youth engaged, providing not only recreation but also pathways to employment and mentorship.
While attendance was lower than organizers had hoped, the tournament’s blend of sport, ceremony and community service illustrated a model for cities grappling with rising youth violence.