Toll the Bell is a year-long focus bringing greater awareness to the gun violence epidemic affecting our city and the entire country. Philadelphia has experienced historic increases in gun-related crime, claiming an unprecedented number of lives and bringing immeasurable pain and trauma to our communities. This endemic issue affects us all, but disproportionally impacts urban neighborhoods and people of color.
With a range of related programs including performances by 23/24 season artists-in-residence, the Negro Ensemble Company and Rennie Harris Puremovement, Toll the Bell culminates with a major city-wide sound installation. At 1 PM on June 7, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, there will be a prolonged period of bell ringing and other community-driven sound making across the city and beyond. A collaboration with Penn’s Office of the Chaplain, Interfaith Philadelphia, Partners for Sacred Places and many faith-based organizations and other partners, this event serves as a warning and a sonic device to disrupt the environment for Philadelphians, inviting them to stop and reflect on this tragic issue.
Toll the Bell is not a profile of tragedy, but rather a call to action – a literal ringing of the bell – to honor our fellow citizens who have lost their lives and raise awareness for those working to have a positive impact in our city.
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