“Educating others regarding the effects that violence has on everyone is even more critical given the events that occurred on September 11, 2001. Harnessing anger and addressing fears are the cornerstones to effective conflict resolution.”
Michael Johnson, Councilman District 8

“Creative means to inspire social changes are created when art and community activism are bridged together. “Release the Fear” is an example of such an endeavor. I am proud to support this effort with others, such as the Department of Public Safety. One reason Release the Fear is worthwhile is because it brings the community together. Release the Fear’s vision of ‘turning negative into positive, creating balance, inspiring empathy, reconnecting and building unity, and ultimately healing and releasing fear” is one that should be embraced and practiced by all.’”
Phil Gordon, former Councilman District 4

“At its last regular meeting, Roosevelt Central Neighborhood Initiative Area of the City of Phoenix was pleased to see your presentation of the concepts for the Release the Fear sculpture. It was the unanimous agreement of everyone present that we endorse and support this effort.”
Paul D. Winslow, FAIA
Chairman, Roosevelt Central Neighborhood Initiative Area

“In the blink of an eye, the tick of the clock, the beat of a heart, violence changes lives and generations. Release the Fear is a functional reminder that “Peace” and “Stop the Violence” are not clichés. They are our future.”
Phoenix Councilman Doug Lingner, District 7

“Youth violence is one of the most serious issues facing our society today. There are far too many stories regarding children and young adults who have been impacted by violence that could have been avoided. Release the Fear’s efforts to offer alternatives to violence through education, awareness and understanding are to be applauded.”
Brian Kearney, President and CEO
Copper Square Downtown Phoenix

“On Saturday August 10 the RAA board took action and approved the Release the Fear project as a benefactor of the 2002 Home Tour proceeds. It is hoped we will meet your request of between $500 and $1,000.”
Terri Palmberg, President
Roosevelt Action Association

“Working in a fast-paced business environment, I find that my creative juices don't easily flow on a day to day basis. Stepping back and taking time to participate in the workshop helped to unblock some of my personal creativity and tap into a deeper sense of connection to the world around me. With the demands of the business world today, this type of workshop can only do good in helping us see new and creative ways to engage in our businesses and communities. “
Brenda L. Sperduti, formerly with Wells Fargo Community & Government Relations

“N.A.I.L.E.M. wholeheartedly supports the Release the Fear project . . . A work of art that relates to the people who are touched by violence in their daily lives could be an inspiration to many young people to work toward building a better America.”
Donna Neill, N.A.I.L.E.M. director

“What better use could these tools of violence be put than to be used as a visual symbol that hate, fear and violence can be transformed by individual will.”
Wilma J. Basnett, Ph.D.
Superintendent, Osborn School District #8

“There are few issues that have a seeping impact on community and society as violence. This project, which seeks to build a lasting symbol of our ability to overcome our fear and conquer this blight on our community, also endeavors to reach others about the devastating effects of violence.”
Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten, District 3

“The Arizona Anti-Hate Crimes Task Force has long supported the Release the Fear organization for several reasons. We are well aware of the organization’s leadership advocating for peace of Phoenix’s south side; the art workshops facilitated for young people with the emphasis on the release of fear, self-realization with self-love, while sharing tools for healing . . .”
R. J. Shannon, Co-Chair
Arizona Anti-Hate Crimes Task Force

“The Release the Fear project encourages us to look beyond the immediate and join together to form healthy, constructive alliances. Art is an incredible vehicle for unification, and Release the Fear, by its very nature, serves this purpose.”
Rory Gilbert, Executive Director
National Conference for Community and Justice

“The Phoenix Police Department wholeheartedly supports Release the Fear and its efforts to help at-risk youth and others throughout the City of Phoenix. The organization’s blending of art and education enables individual and cultural change that will help prevent conflict and violent behavior in our community.”
Harold Hurtt, Police Chief, City of Phoenix

“Release the Fear pledges to begin the healing process needed to transform those who have suffered from the pain and fear in their lives. Through education they can become people who have other options besides violence for expressing their anger. We believe strongly that the symbolic message of the sculpture to be erected on Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street will be the catalyst through which this process will take place.”
Valerie Manning, President and CEO
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

“ . . . a twenty-foot sculpture will be erected that symbolizes triumph of the good in people over evil that touches our lives in the form of violence. Release the Fear is creating both the sculpture and education programs to help al people realize this transforming power we all have inside.”
Gene Blue, President/CEO
Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center

“A twenty-foot sculpture depicting weapons fusing into a human Phoenix, rising to the heavens, is a powerful and healing image. Taking negative and violent materials such as guns and knives and creating something of peace and beauty will transform our community. It will create a stunning visual awareness that hate, fear and violence can be changed through our own will.”
Stephanie Small, Executive Director
Free Arts Arizona

“Our students were inspired by your enthusiasm and obvious compassion. The painting that you facilitated our students to create inspired teamwork and aided them in expanding their world view.”
Karen Callahan, Executive Director
Genesis Academy

“Robert Miley’s Release the Fear sculpture may be a key to beginning the healing process needed to transform those who have suffered from pain and fear in their lives. People beset by violence have other options besides violence for expressing their anger. I hope that the sculpture may act as a catalyst teaching that fear, pain and anger do not have to be responded to by violence."
Terry Goddard, Arizona Attorney General

“In what proves to be desperate, fearful times for all of us, with government cutbacks, employer layoffs, homelessness and hunger, we suffer our children with violence – psychological, verbal and physical. Violence is a symptom of our fears. Violence uses negative, reactionary energy – zapping us of our true strength and power. Please, exert the same energy to release your fear as used to feed your fear. For the sake of all children, we release our fear through empathy and stop violence with conviction, courage and love.”
Sophia Lopez, Founder, Mothers Against Gangs

“A symbol of community uniting against the negative elements is important.”
Frances Emma Barwood, former Vice-Mayor, City of Phoenix

“Unfortunately violence is pervasive in our society, even in the home. Our mission is to provide parent with help and hope when parenting gets tough, by teaching nurturing and non-violent parenting skills. The sculpture serves as a symbol of that hope which we want to instill in all families.”
Michelle Keal, Executive Director of Parents Anonymous of AZ

“Break the cycle…Create a change, the key to empowering yourself!”
Heidi Fogelsong, Television and Radio Personality

“If anyone can motivate people to action through art, it’s Robert J. Miley.”
Mary Jo West, The Phoenix Channel and Phoenix Fire Dept

“PEACE…if each of us starts to promote peace with just a small step –OURSELVES- a kind word, a smile, a caring and sharing with family, friends and community. Maybe then it would be like a ripple in a pond and spread outwards and just keep on going and going and going AND GROWING AND GROWING AND GROWING until it overtakes the world and we can do nothing to stop it.”
Adrien Hertzberg, Director, Jewish Family & Children’s Services

“It is my hope that “Release the Fear” and all it stands for will have an impact on individuals who may be considering committing a violent crime, that they may stop and consider the victims and their families before acting.”
Sal DiCiccio, former Phoenix City Councilman
 

Many thanks to our list of supporters who have generously made contributions to Release The Fear:
Kax Herberger
ILX Corporation - Joseph Martori
Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley's Office
Phoenix New Times
Good Samaritan Health Systems
FINOVA - Jack Fields
Eller Outdoors

Also thanks to the many people who have helped and supported Release The Fear, the list is longer than you can imagine, thanks to all of you.

Additional support shown in a City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department letter and an Arizona Department of Safety letter.