SNUG holds community block party in the south end of Albany with - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

SNUG holds community block party in the south end of Albany with an anti-violence message

ALBANY, N.Y.---SNUG, the anti-gun violence group in Albany, hosted a block party Friday afternoon aimed at bringing peace to the streets.

The message is anti-violence and it's being geared right towards young kids.

At first glance, it is your typical block party, with hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, kids playing on the playground and even free books being handed out.

But there is a bigger meaning behind the event, with t-shirts spelling out the message of "Don't shoot, they wanna grow up".

Albany County District Attorney David Soares says events like these are crucial, as is SNUG's presence in the community.

According to Albany Police, last Friday night a 15-year-old was shot in the neck on Sherman Street.

Last night, police arrested 21-year-old Nafiu Victoria for gun possession after he was caught with a loaded .22 caliber handgun on Second Street.

Vivian Kornegay, the community outreach coordinator for SNUG ("guns" spelled backwards), says the ongoing violence only makes them work harder.

Parents at the event say the block parties not only give kids an outlet, but make them feel safe.

The leaders of SNUG say their goal is to have at least one block party event every month to keep the message of peace out there.

They also say families can expect at least one more event before the kids go back to school.