Washington Ceasefire

Washington CeaseFire was founded in 1983 by a small group of concerned citizens who desired to reduce gun violence in their communities. Since then CeaseFire has grown to nearly 6,000 members across the state.

CeaseFire works to reduce gun violence in Washington State in three ways:

• Research: Community experts, CeaseFire staff, board members and volunteers work together to provide our members and the statewide community with the latest and most comprehensive statistics on the issue of gun violence in Washington State. Our legal team also works to provide us with thorough analysis of legal issues surrounding gun violence prevention. Research allows us to unmask the many myths surrounding the issue of gun violence and provides the foundation for our educational and advocacy work.

• Education and Community Outreach: Community support and awareness is key to solving any social problem and it is especially true in the case of gun violence prevention. CeaseFire conducts workshops and presentations on reducing gun violence in local schools, Parent Teacher Associations (PTSAs), and community groups. CeaseFire also works with the media and holds regular events designed to raise awareness about gun violence and community support. Contact us to have a CeaseFire representative come talk with your community or school group.

• Advocacy: CeaseFire’s C-4 sister advocacy organization works for sensible policy solutions to gun violence at the local, county and state level.

Here are just a few of our members who are making a difference by dedicating their time and energy toward reducing gun violence in our state every day.

Kristen Comer – Executive Director

Kristen Comer, born and raised in Spokane, Washington, is Executive Director of Washington CeaseFire. Kristen is responsible for formulating policy and planning priorities for WCF, advising the board of directors on new initiatives, setting the scope and direction for fundraising and membership growth, and conducting outreach programs in the form of informational seminars and other public activities to educate communities throughout Washington State about the need for greater gun safety.

Kristen has spent many years leading the cause for greater gun safety; previously she was a staff member of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. She has also filled her life with educating others: Kristen was a Peace Corps Volunteer and spent three years as an elementary/high school teacher in the state.

 

Ralph Fascitelli - President

Ralph Fascitelli has lived more than twenty years in Seattle. He joined Washington Ceasefire in April 1999, one week after the Columbine High School shootings and quickly became a close personal friend of former WCF President Tom Wales, who was tragically murdered in his home in 2001.

Ralph became president of WCF in 2005, working with an expanded board of dedicated Washington citizens to advocate more secure neighborhoods throughout the state. As president, he is responsible for championing the cause of Washington CeaseFire, defining the scope of the organization’s agenda and developing a broader network of advocates for the WCF cause.

An established leader in Washington State’s business community, Ralph has spent more than thirty years working in various marketing capacities for a number of global corporations.

Neal Black – Vice President

Neal Black, born in Alaska and raised in Central Oregon is vice president, with responsibility for legislative initiatives and providing legal counsel at Washington CeaseFire. Neal has been a practicing attorney for several years and currently has his own practice, based in Seattle. He is also an adjunct professor at the Seattle University School of Law, where he teaches the Community Development and Entrepreneurship Clinic.

Neal is admitted to practice in the states of Washington and Oregon, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the United States District Courts for the Western District of Washington, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

John Beale – Vice President

John Beale has been a resident of Washington State since 2005. He is responsible for developing marketing and communications programs for Washington CeaseFire in support of championing the organization’s causes and growing its membership base.

John has had the opportunity to live, travel and work in communities in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Born in Canada, John has a 20-year career as a marketing and communications consultant to foreign multinationals. He and his family lived for many years first in Japan and then in Malaysia. For the past ten years, John has worked exclusively in the mobile telecommunications industry, first in California before moving to Seattle.

 

To find out how you can join us in our commitment to reduce gun violence visit our "Get Involved" page.