NO SHOOT ZONE

• Prize
  Silver in Press/General News
• Photographer
  Roger Birkel, United States

In the futile hope of discouraging yet another loss of young lives to gun violence, the citizens of Baltimore paint the phrase NO SHOOT ZONE on the walls of abandoned buildings throughout the inner city. Their real wish is that the entire city becomes a safe haven to raise families and live a life of joy and opportunity.
One year ago gun violence took the lives of 2 individuals and wounded 28 in a single incident at a neighborhood block party. Most victims and both shooters were teenagers.
When hope is gone and guns are easy, violence erupts and precious young lives are lost forever.