‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’ Posters Coming to DC. Can They Help Curb Gun Violence?

Amid recent gun violence that the police chief has called “completely unacceptable,” local community leaders are hoping an age-old commandment, printed on a red and white cardboard sign, will help stem the bloodshed.

“The poster is going to simply say “Thou shalt not kill,” said Philip Pannell, executive director of the Anacostia Coordinating Council {snip}

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Pannell said this is not the first time the “Thou shalt not kill” message has been used in the District.

“Around 30 years ago, at the height of the crack epidemic, when we were also experiencing violence and homicides, then at-large Council member William Lightfoot printed-up some ‘Thou shalt not kill’ posters and put them throughout the city,” Pannell recalled.

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Pannell said the D.C. mayor’s office is providing 1,000 posters that are set to be delivered Monday, and Andy Shallal, owner of Busboys and Poets, is underwriting the costs of printing 2,000 posters.

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