'There is always something we can do.' Stark civic leaders launch gun-violence campaign

CANTON – Scriptures from the Book of Leviticus have often been used to criticize, even ostracize, but two longtime friends are borrowing from it to urge people to love their neighbor by eschewing gun violence.

Ron Ponder and Temple Israel Emeritus Rabbi John Spitzer have created "Do Not Stand Idle While Your Neighbor Bleeds," a public information campaign with a theme borrowed from Leviticus 19:16.

They introduced the campaign in a Canton Repository guest editorial on June 12.

Spitzer said the goal is to display 100 "silhouette" signs, which they hope organizations and individuals will place all over Stark County. They will feature daily, updated numbers of Americans — adults and children — killed as a result of gunfire as reported by the Gun Violence Archive.

"What we're trying to do is make this as non-political as possible," he said.

As of June 21, 20,520 adults and 780 children were killed in gun-related incidents since Jan. 1.

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported that gun violence has replaced disease and accidents and the No. 1 cause of death for children.

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Spitzer said there are numerous factors for what seems to be an American problem.

"There are so many seeds in this weed garden, it's shocking," he said.

Spitzer said that he and Ponder, who helped to start Coming Together Stark County, have had numerous conversations about the scourge of gun violence.

'A sadly powerful word.'

"The last time we talked was after the Tops supermarket shooting," Spitzer said. "I said I was very disturbed, but he said he was despondent. I thought despondent was a powerful world. A sadly powerful word."

Spitzer said he pitched the idea to Ponder, a community activist and former radio host, about human silhouettes.

"Actually, it was almost based on the Right to Life people, who put up (thousands of) crosses," he said, "It's a very powerful symbol. When we found the National Gun Archive, it made updating simple."

The project is being accompanied by a "covenant," in which Ponder and Spitzer are asking participants to commit to displaying and maintaining the signs, including changing the numbers weekly.

Ponder, who calls Spitzer "the conscience of our county," said the problem of gun violence is being exacerbated by an absence of leadership and moral courage.

"Our political leaders can change things in a moment, if the voters were pissed enough," he said. "I have always rebelled against the idea of being paralyzed by the present situation. People always say, 'Oh, there's nothing we can do,' but I always say we can change our own lives, if not the lives of anybody else. There is always something we can do."

The men said they strongly disagree with laws that now allow Ohioans to carry guns without benefit of licensing or training, and which drastically reduced the required hours of training for public school teachers who wish to carry a gun on school property.

"You can't yell 'fire' in a crowded theater," Ponder said. "There's a social responsibility you have to maintain. It's the same with gun legislation. There are ways to impact the negative effects. The leadership is supposed to be doing this, and they ain't doing this stuff."

Spitzer agrees.

"I don't feel badly at all about saying it's a bad idea to allow concealed carry without training," he said. "We get upset when the traffic is congested. And why do we do that? Because people are going to get hurt. But we keep pushing guns."

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Spitzer said that making sure that people who own guns are responsible, is not being anti-gun, adding that in too many cases personal rights have trumped responsibility.

Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun

"What I would say to the gun lobby is, if they don't modify their positions so that it makes sense, there will be a time when there will be legislation to take guns away," he said. "I think if you look at history, the framers were saying that Americans had the right to have an armed militia to stand up against (foreign) kings. Somewhere along the way, that interpretation changed to 'I have a right to have an arsenal in my house.' And it's not because of protesting liberty and so on."

Spitzer, who led Temple Israel for 27 years, was asked if there is a spiritual aspect to America's gun-violence problem.

"You start asking yourself why would people react so violently," he said. "And I think one of the things is, all this spent violence is about people's fears."

He cited educator Geoffrey Canada's memoir "Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun" about growing up in a violence-riddled neighborhood in South Bronx, New York.

"There's a feeling that everyone is out to get you," Spitzer said. "There's an obvious sense of power people think they gain by those weapons. I also think prejudice diminishes the resistance people have in using a weapon. It's such a complex thing."

Ponder said some politicians have cynically used people's fears, hatred, race, and certain social issues to their own advantage for votes, to the point that it's becoming mainstream.

"It's also social media," he said. "They're using hate as a motivator to get voters to the polls."

Spitzer said responsibility and rights go hand-in-hand, noting that if a person wishes to drive a car or fly a plane, they must possess proper licensing and training.

"I remember when seat belts were made mandatory, some Republicans objected to government mandating to manufacturers " Ponder said. "It comes down to the will of officials to do the right thing."

Spitzer said each sign will cost about $35 each. Donations are welcome. They may be sent to Temple Israel, 432 30th St. NW, Canton, Ohio 44709. Note "silhouette" in the check memo.

Spitzer said they hope to keep the signs on display through December to report a full year's worth of statistics.

To learn more, email to: dontstandidle@gmail.com.

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Rabbi John Spitzer, Ron Ponder launch gun-violence campaign