NON-VIOLENCE PROJECT AND GUN-VIOLENCE SURVIVOR KYLIE OSSEGE RALLY FOR PEACE AT THE U.S. OPEN

NON-VIOLENCE PROJECT AND GUN-VIOLENCE SURVIVOR KYLIE OSSEGE RALLY FOR PEACE AT THE U.S. OPEN

Custom tennis-themed “Knotted Gun” unveiled to highlight women in tennis and youth leaders advocating for gun violence prevention and cultural change

FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY - September 1, 2025 - The Non-Violence Project, a global nonprofit organization applying education and creative arts to inspire peacebuilding and conflict resolution, unveiled a custom tennis-themed “Knotted Gun” sculpture during the U.S. Open. The occasion marked and recognized the contribution of women in tennis for their advocacy and leadership in gun violence prevention, youth well-being and community resilience.

Kylie Ossege, a Michigan State University student, tennis player and two-time survivor of school shootings, led the presentation with a profound perspective. Surviving both the Oxford High School and Michigan State University mass shootings, Ossege faced an extensive recovery supported by the women’s tennis community, including personal encouragement from tennis greats Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Billie Jean King. Gauff has advanced gun violence-prevention advocacy and Osaka has been a champion for mental-health awareness. Notably, today the two players face each other in a highly anticipated match.

“Gun violence has probably already affected someone you know, and if it hasn’t, it will,” Ossege said. “Future generations are relying on us to make the change we need now. We can't afford to wait any longer while more children and young people have their lives ended or disrupted by gun violence. That’s why collaborating with the tennis community is so critical. This isn’t just about policy. We need to change the way we think and act about gun violence and what we consider acceptable. That starts with speaking up and changing the culture.”

Serving as the first Youth Ambassador for NVP-USA, Ossege will continue to turn her lived experience into advocacy, determined to build safer communities through leadership, creativity and unity.

"The global popularity of tennis, particularly women's tennis, has inspired a new generation of athlete and activist,” John McKenna, Country Director – USA of the Non-Violence Project said. “Kylie movingly and authentically embodies such spirit and we will proudly stand with her as she rallies for peace across the professional tennis landscape."

The U.S. Open ceremony is serving as a launching pad for NVP’s campaign to raise gun violence awareness across the professional tennis landscape, particularly US-based tournaments throughout 2026-27, aligning and furthering NVP’s collaborations with the WNBA and other sports and cultural institutions.

The tennis-themed Non-Violence sculpture, Rally for Peace, was designed and painted by award-winning illustrator Jess Goldsmith, chosen for her talent and commitment to the cause. Goldsmith produced the basketball team-themed “Knotted Gun” pieces for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun exhibited at arenas during National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Goldsmith founded Women of Type, a platform of over 100,000 people advancing the creativity of women and nonbinary artists in the typography and lettering industry across the globe.

ABOUT THE NON-VIOLENCE PROJECT

The Non-Violence Project (NVP) is a global non-profit organization with a mission to inspire, motivate and educate young people on the prevention of harm and injury through peaceful conflict resolution. The Knotted Gun, created as an expression of grief after legendary musician and peace advocate John Lennon was victimized by gun violence, is one of the world’s most recognizable symbols of peace, the original on permanent exhibition at the entrance to the United Nations. Artist Ambassadors include Sirs Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the late Muhammad Ali and many other artists and athletes in the pop-culture space.

NVP, founded in 1993, has educated and trained over 10 million students, teachers and coaches across five continents in the time-proven principles and practices of non-violence. Its Schools for Peace curriculum has been introduced in the New York City Department of Education with customized Why Knot NY? workshops offered to high schools across all five NYC boroughs.

ABOUT KYLIE OSSEGE

Kylie Ossege is a survivor of the 2021 Oxford High School shooting in Michigan, where four students were killed and six students and one staff injured. Kylie was the last survivor to leave the hospital, six weeks after a bullet passed through her clavicle and ribs and exited her back causing a spinal cord hematoma. A high school tennis player, Kylie received support from the professional women’s tennis community during her recovery. Fourteen months later, Kylie was a freshman at Michigan State University when a mass shooter killed three students and injured five others. Soon afterward, Kylie underwent spinal surgery at Northwell Health’s Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City to address complications from her wounds.

Honored as NVP-USA’s first Youth Ambassador, Kylie serves as Co-Leader of Michigan State University’s chapter of March For Our Lives.

Media Contact:
John A. McKenna
john.mckenna@nonviolence.com