From an email:
“As many of you already know, Tom Marmet, the son of Roger Marmet – one of Roofers Union’s owners – Roger Marmet, was killed in a senseless act of gun violence on October 24th, 2018. Tom was driving home from his fellowship as a social worker at SOME (So Others Might Eat) and hit by gunfire when he passed an alley in the Trinidad neighborhood. Tom, 22, was a great young man who I had the fortune of watching grow up as he worked with us at Ripple Wine Bar when school allowed.
We are all extremely saddened by this loss and find ourselves looking for ways to speak and act out against senseless gun violence in DC. First on the agenda, will be over Thanksgiving weekend (11/23-11/25) when Roofers Union will dedicate the weekend as a benefit to Tom Marmet and all the other victims of gun violence in DC. On Friday November 23rd, we will be joined by many Tom’s friends and representatives from Everytown for Gun Safety.
On this day, we will collect a $10 donation at the door, 100% of which will go to Everytown for Gun Safety. In addition to this, Roofers Union will also be donating our profits from the whole weekend (11/23-11/25) to Everytown for Gun Safety. Donations to Everytown will be focused towards DC.
As a restaurant manager (and human being), I have always committed myself and Roofers Union to remaining politically impartial. Gun violence – especially homicides in DC – are not political. It is a health crisis which has hit home. If we can’t even drive across town without fear of getting shot, something must change. If anyone wants to twist it as political to stand up against senseless preventable death to our dearest loved ones, then I guess we have to get political. Later this winter or early this spring, we will look to speak out with similar minded restaurants in a DC-wide endeavor to fight for gun safety.
Happy Holidays and safest of wishes to you and your family.
Thank you,
Dave Delaplaine
Roofers Union General Manager”
2446 18th Street, NW