On April 16th 2007 a tragic event engulfed the United States of America and horrified millions of people around the world. The lives of 32 people were stolen by a disturbed individual, who cowardly then took his own life rather than face the consequences of his psychotic actions. The nation then quickly sought to find the cause of his mental breakdown which led to his horrific deed. Rather than accept that this individual is a product of an isolated yet semi random crack in society, influential people and politicians took the liberty to place the blame on an inanimate object. “Video Games”!

Less than 12 hours after the tragic incident the Call of Duty went out to the gamers around the Nation. Empire Arcadia called out to gamers to rally in peace to demonstrate the truth about our culture and community. Since then many gamers have answered this call. Gamers around the United States are now uniting for the first time to make a stand and protect the values and principles of the video game culture.

Gamers around the world that will not be able to attend events such as the one being held in New York City will still have a chance to represent and contribute to this historical day. On May 5th 2007 all gamers that can not attend these events are asked to set a side some time during that day to play some video games with your family and friends and enjoy a day of peace and socializing.

The Spirit of the Hardcore gamer however is a force to be reckon with. Many gamers around nation and outside of it plan to hold their own gamer rally with or without industry support. Here is what some of them had to say...

"I saw an article written about the protest in New York on gamepolitics.com and wanted to wish you the best of luck with that. I truly hope this can be a step forward for the gaming community. Depending on the level of your success gaming communities across the nation may follow. As a resident of the Los Angeles area I hope we can parallel a mass protest. Good luck to you and yours."

- Robert - Los Angeles
(http://www.myspace.com/139627)

"Hey i live in Canada and i think your cause is awesome i would love to see if we could get something going in Canada and maybe do a live feed here to there.  all of us Canadians are mourning aswell.  and we might not face the same politics and jerks like jack Thompson who put the blame on us to gain more leverage for themselves and not the lives lost. we all here your plea and all feel for you and your friends and colleges who lost friends and family at VT.  i would like to here from you.  let me know what you think or any ideas you have.  thanks for your time.  and please let everyone know all are hearts go out to family and friends of people who lost someone on such a tragic day."

- Alan Erickson - Canada (email)

"Hello, I've started a site for gamers in Oklahoma to network - and this May 5th thing sounds solid - I'd like to officially ask for OK to get in on it. I'm contacting the people in my community now to verify intent / people being down - but yea, let me know if we can help! Saw it posted on SoulCalibur.com - going to repost it on OKgamers.com - if your fine with that. Thanks!"

Saif, aka X A - Tulsa, - Oklahoma (http://www.okgamers.com/)

CNET along with MTV were two of the first to take notice of such a historical movement in the gamer culture. Helping to spread the word it grabbed the interest of many industry entities to lend their aid to gamers to protect what we have helped build over the last 5 decades. First to come to the aid of Empire Arcadia and the gamers around the east coast is JC-Media + Entertainment, LLC. Empire Arcadia requested their help to co-produce a special event that would convey the message of gamers to the world about the misleading stereotype that the tragic event in Virginia has brought to date. The proposed event caught the eye of ECA (Entertainment Consumer Association) which is an advocacy organization for consumers of interactive entertainment. They too have joined in to provide information to the public about what videogames bring to the table of society at large.

However even with the help of JC-Media + Entertainment and ECA along with their partners who are also helping to add to this momentous occasion this event only covers one part of the United States. What about gamers on the west coast who are not able to attend and pay their respects and represent as gamers? To find the answer Empire Arcadia looked to the west for a partner in which they have worked with in the past to help develop the female gamer community. Girl Gaming Network (GGN) has taken up the task of filling the gap and completing the task of uniting gamers around the nation along with Empire Arcadia. Now the Fellowship is complete!

Now that the call has been made and the rally has begun, the first step to truly solving the problem against terrorist acts such as Virginia Tech. is underway. Gamers are thought of as being poorly educated and unconstructive elements to society. Politicians and professionals are able to get away with a lot of “analytical” rubbish because they don’t believe that gamers will be able to defend themselves never the less care about what is being said about them. For too long the videogame industry has defended us professionally and with good results. However the problem is still looming. Jack Thompson recently suggested that Microsoft head Bill Gates would be responsible for the deaths of the Virginia Tech students.

Industry leaders have always been there for us, providing us with the latest and greatest games and systems. Now they need our voice and we must be more than willing to give our aid. We can do this by supporting this movement which can be considered the civil rights movement for gamers. As gamers we are both strong and intelligent enough to stand up against politicians such as Jack Thompson but what we don’t know is if Jack Thompson has the fortitude and intelligence to sit down and discuss with “GAMERS” his point of view. Rather than doing so he some how has made it his business to study what it is to be a gamer and determine our psychological profile. The fact that such foolishness has been entertained perhaps he should put down his pen and pick up a controller like the rest of us if he wants to know what it is to be a gamer.

"While he was a very sick individual, and he was in dire need of professional help, people who experience the rigors of daily life don't need to let it get to the point that he did.  some people like myself, just play video games in order to decompress from the stressors of life. Whatever they may be. In short, personally I just keep it virtual."

-TriForce

The culture and community of gamers have long been considered a hobby and not yet accepted in the United States as a real culture yet. This rally will change the out look of gamers around the nation to something finally positive. Calling out to Female gamers from PMS, to KSI and Frgadolls; female gamers are a vital part to the gamer culture. VOA (Valkyries of Arcadia) a sub division of Empire Arcadia Inc. which focus on female gamer community and culture has contributed in the growth of female gamers on the east coast for over 3 years. The Valkyries lead by Valkyrie Wyldflower and Nightmare will also be in attendance to help spread the message of gamers against violence.

“We live in a imperfect world with unrealistic rules.”

- Wyldflower

On May 5th 2007 at 1pm in Bryant Park in New York, Empire Arcadia and JC Media will host a peaceful and informative gaming demonstration in protest of public scrutiny. Gamers will also honor the Virginia Tech students and their families. The event will provide all attendees with casual gaming, friendly contests and educational panel discussions from various leaders in gaming. Empire Arcadia and JC Media have been joined by the Entertainment Consumers Association [ECA], Gamers United Radio [GUR], Tritton Technologies and others. You can visit the Empire/JC Media gamers against violence myspace and leave your comments and or post your pictures of your community of gamers holding controllers along with signs of peace. To visit this site click HERE. When that event is done there is more to come.

Throughout the entire week leading to May 12th 2007 gamers are encouraged to continue the celebration of gamers against violence week by visiting www.gamersagainstviolence.us. Gamers around the world can then take pictures of themselves with the graphic art provided on the myspace and submit it the site where it will join thousands of other gamers pictures protesting against violence leading up to the west coast date of May 12th 2007 to continue the week long celebration. GGN is a proud community and cultural partner of Empire Arcadia and is contributing their efforts to make this coming week (7) seven days for gamers to represent and express what it is to be a gamer. So don't forget to visit the gamers against violence myspace by clicking HERE.

For full detailed information about the east coast event please visit our sponsors site: JC-Media

For full detailed information about the west coast event please visit our west coast partner site: GGN

JC Media + Entertainment LLC;
Offical Event Sponsor of Empire Arcadia Inc.