This article originally appeared in the May-June 2002 issue of the Children's Advocate, published by Action Alliance for Children.

Grassroots Snapshot

Kids campaign against gun violence in L.A.

By Erica Williams

Niko and Theo Milonopoulis, twins in ninth grade at Campbell Hall High School, were 10 years old when a series of shootings rocked L.A. and schools across the United States. "We were scared of being shot," remembers Theo. "What if this happened at our school?"

Across town a year ago, Keith Garrett Jr., now a 10th grader at Lock High School in L.A., was injured in a drive-by shooting. "People are down here killing each other. It doesn't make any sense. I don't want to see anyone shot again," says Keith.

Now Niko, Theo, Keith, and many other L.A. youth are speaking out against gun violence. Theo and Niko founded Kidz Voice-L.A., which has worked for a proposed city ordinance banning the sale of ammunition in Los Angeles. Keith is active in annual peace marches organized by L.A. Bridges, a city-funded after-school program-last year Niko and Theo were among the speakers at the march.

Hear kids' voices

"Kids voices aren't heard as much because we can't vote," says Niko, "but it's important to hear kids' voices." Kidz Voice-L.A. has made itself heard, speaking at city council meetings and lobbying individual members. In a recent city council meeting, while Kidz Voice-L.A. speakers talked about how gun violence affects youth, nine-year-old member Shelby Korzen held up a row of 50 paper dolls, representing the 50 kids killed by guns each year in L.A. The speakers pointed out that of the 50 kids, only one is white. "When kids are killed," says Niko, "it's like the future is being destroyed."

Work together

L.A. Bridges' annual peace marches draw more than 500 kids, families, police, prosecutors, and parents who have lost children to gun violence. "We wanted to do something to empower the community. There's a problem when 11-year-olds start thinking it's normal for people to be shot," says Eric James, a counselor for L.A. Bridges. "Our message to people," says Keith, "is that you're killing your brothers and sisters and you need to stop."

Parents' support

Shelby Korzen's family has joined the effort to pass the ammo ban. "One of the most important things for me as a parent," says Katie Korzen, "is that my children learn that they can use their voices. I want Shelby to know that it's her city hall, and she has a right for her voice to be heard."

"Ever since Nico and Theo have been working on passing the ban, I started getting more involved in politics," says their mom, Constantina Milonopoulis. Last year, at the twins' suggestion, she ran for city council. She lost, but says, "I had a voice during candidate forums to talk about gun violence and banning ammunition."

"Keep the issue alive"

Observers say the ammunition ban has a chance of passing this year. "I'm very proud of Theo and Niko Milonopoulis and their many accomplishments," says Los Angeles City Councilmember Nick Pacheco.

It's important to "keep the issue alive," says Theo, "because we're the ones who will inherit this world and our children shouldn't have to deal with these issues." Shelby Korzen agrees: "I want to keep going to as many marches as I can to help stop violence."

• Kidz Voice-L.A., 323-654-3588
• L.A. Bridges, Gompers Middle School, 323-241-6880

Reporting by Scott Bruner contributed to this story.

Return to top

Action Alliance
for Children
e-mail aac@4children.org
1201 Martin Luther
King Jr. Way
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 444-7136