Here's the Argonauts' campaign to Stop the Violence in Toronto. After 41 homicides this year alone, 30+ gun-related, these guys are taking the initiative to find ways to stop the violence in the city. Here's what they're doing:

Toronto Argonauts unveil plan to stop the violence

TOWN HALL MEETING CONFIRMED FOR SEPTEMBER 11

    TORONTO, Aug. 23 /CNW/ - The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced
today at a media conference its multi-faceted plan to tackle violent crime in
the City of Toronto. The campaign, entitled "Stop The Violence - We Are
Toronto", sees the City's oldest professional sports team bring forth a call
to action from both community and business leaders to address issues of
violent and gun-related crimes, in conjunction with Mayor David Miller and
Chief of Police Bill Blair.
    Keith Pelley, President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts, commented,
""Violence and fear are an especially potent and destructive combination, and
the grip they have on parts of our city are strong, formidable and
frightening. But Toronto should not underestimate the strength of this
community in countering this threat. What we want to provide a rallying point
for the best energies of this city to gather and find expression in positive,
concrete action and education. This cannot be a passive campaign, this is all
about getting out there and doing something -- as a team. Not just the
Argonauts team. The team called Toronto."
    The key elements of the "Stop The Violence - We Are Toronto" are outlined
below:

    1.  A website at www.stoptheviolence.ca
        a. Information resource
        b. Interactive vehicle for the community

    2.  A Town Hall Meeting, to be broadcast on Sunday, September 11 at
        7:00 p.m. on City TV. This meeting will bring together city leaders,
        young people, community leaders, and individuals whose lives have
        been impacted by gun-related crimes or violence, including members of
        the Toronto Argonauts. The program will be co-hosted by Pinball
        Clemons and Gord Martineau. We encourage all concerned citizens to
        watch the Town Hall Meeting on September 11.

    3.  A commitment from the Toronto Argonauts to carry on their school-
        related programs, to reach 40,000 students in the next 12 months.

    4.  Along with the corporate community, our fans, and concerned citizens,
        a goal to raise $100,000 in the next 6 months to be put towards
        specific community programs, to be determined by community needs and
        announced at the September 11 Town Hall meeting.

    5.  A commitment from the Toronto Argonauts to move select practices to
        geographic areas most affected by the crimes. The first of these will
        take place on Tuesday, August 30, 2005. Another community practice is
        scheduled for the weekend of September 17.

    6.  Game day promotions in the remaining 5 home games of the season,
        promoting the entire campaign.

    7.  Argo players and coaches will produce a series of Public Service
        Announcements for radio and television, relating to the Stop the
        Violence campaign.

    8.  Create a "Stop The Violence Business Leaders Group". In mid-October,
        the Argonauts will host a luncheon to rally our key corporate
        partners, further discuss this initiative and respond to community
        needs as requested at www.stoptheviolence.ca.

    The Toronto Argonauts strive to be role models and will utilize their
players to reach out to Toronto's youth. Commented linebacker Chuck Winters,
"I grew up in the Herman Garden projects of Detroit and saw gun violence 
first-hand when my younger brother Malik was shot and killed. When I came to
Toronto to play for the Argos, I was so impressed with the city and all it has
to offer. I don't want to see Toronto lose all that good and I want to help to
ensure that doesn't happen."
    At the media conference, Joe Pantalone, Deputy Mayor for the City of
Toronto, endorsed the initiative, as did Deputy Chief of Police Jane Dick and
Councillor Mark Grimes.
    Steve Jones, Senior Vice President, Siemens Canada, challenged other
business leaders to join in the campaign. "Siemens Canada, as a corporate
citizen of Toronto for a century, understands its obligation to support this
Argonauts initiative. We urge all local businesses to join us in stopping the
violence that impacts the lives of so many."
    Toronto Argonauts Head Coach, Michael "Pinball" Clemons, stressed the
importance of stopping violence. "In his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace
Prize, Dr. Martin Luther King declared that violence and civilization are
antithetical concepts. Known for his oratorical splendor, he later suggested
that it's non-violence or non-existence. Consistent with this, it is our
responsibility as stewards of our city to take the growing issue of gun
violence seriously. However, it is important for us as a community to embrace
and not alienate one another. My desire to support this initiative isn't to
point fingers but, in some small way, be part of the solution. I believe we
live in the greatest city in the world and am confident that together we will
make a difference. After all, we are Toronto."

For further information: please contact: Beth Waldman, Toronto Argonauts
Football Club, Office: (416) 341-2720, Cell: (416) 219-4410, Email:
bwaldman@argonauts.on.ca, www.stoptheviolence.ca