The Tutu Foundation UK supports the STOP Campaign!
Alexander Rose is 19 years old and comes from Mitcham in South London. A couple of years ago he decided that the violent and intimidating gang and weapon carrying culture which had affected him and his family directly for as long as he could remember needed confronting. He decided to start a campaign called STOP which stands for Solve This On-going Problem. With a passion and talent for graphic design he designed T-shirts and leaflets carrying the message. He paid for everything out of his own pocket. Alex has come to prominence and his amazing efforts recognised when he was awarded a 2008 Anne Frank Award. Since then he has met the Prime Minister and in September the Foundation introduced him to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu when he was visiting London. In October he has been given a further award this time by the Body Shop for whom he works as a part-time employee.
Since then Alex and his campaign have come under the umbrella of the Tutu Foundation UK, affording the campaign a home. David Evans says of Alex and the STOP Campaign: “The values of Alex the person and the STOP Campaign fit exactly with the values of the Foundation. We have always said that the voice of young people must be heard and affirmed and this campaign, conceived by young people, run by young people and aimed at young people enables that to happen. Alex is an amazing and powerful advocate and an inspiring example to all of us.”
There are many exciting possibilities beginning to emerge in terms of getting the message out there. Alex has been identified by the Battlefront campaigning initiative as a leading campaigner and a documentary commissioned by Channel 4 is being made by Raw TV. It will be screened in early December. Meanwhile you can view the video made about Alex by Battlefront.
http://battlefront.co.uk/campaign/stop-gun-and-knife-crime/
