MUSIC VIDEO RELEASE
Gang Violence is targeted on UN’s Universal Children’s Day

On Saturday November 20th, the Church of Scientology International and Youth for Human Rights International, a Los Angeles based non-profit organization released a five minute music video dealing head-on with gang violence and bullying among youths. The video was released as part of the UN’s Universal Children’s Day November 20th.

The video features cameo appearances from soul legend Isaac Hayes, movie actress Erica Christensen and TV actresses Catherine Bell, Jenna Elfman and Lynsey Bartilson. Filmed in 14 countries just this year, the video also features a multi-ethnic cast of more than 150 actors.

In California alone, the Department of Justice estimates there are 300,000 gang members and some six thousand young people in the state who are hospitalized for some form of violent injury each year.

“Almost ten thousand murders have been committed in South Central Los Angeles in the last decade at a cost of priceless lives as well as several billions of dollars to the state,” said Tracie Morrow, Coordinator for the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International.

“The 18th Street Gangs, originating in Los Angeles have spread their influence into Honduras and Guatemala creating even more deaths and drug havoc,” said Morrow.

The music video entitled “UNITED” portrays children, banding together to defeat bullies in school and playground settings. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights, is featured as the element of change that resolves gang violence.

“It is a very real portrayal of things our youth are faced with today and how to apply Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Morrow. “That article tells us that all people are born free and equal and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Mr. Craig Mokhiber, Deputy Director, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations, described the work as “brilliant and an important contribution to human rights education.”

“We are making it available widely as we see it as a way of reducing gang violence in keeping with the UN’s purpose of instilling human rights among the youth of the world,” Morrow said.

To view the music video and contact Youth for Human Rights International visit www.youthforhumanrights.org