UPDATE: DC budget set to cut funding for critical services, including violence interruption programs
Tell local leaders: Prioritize gun safety in the budget>>
John,
This week, hundreds of supporters in the District emailed the DC Council, asking them to pass the proposed budget. Instead, several Council leaders have proposed cutting $18 million from critical services, including gun violence interruption programs.
Washington, DC is dealing with a gun violence crisis—the District has the highest rate of gun homicide in the country, nearly three times the national rate. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the District. And while Black residents account for 46 percent of DC’s population, they account for approximately 96 percent of the District's gun homicide victims.
We need to adopt a Vision Zero for gun violence prevention in DC and fund violence intervention and interruption programs that have been proven to reduce gun violence.
We cannot afford to let these programs lose funding. The DC budget must include sufficient funding for violence interruption programs.
The Council needs to hear from the residents they represent that DC needs fully funded violence interruption programs: Send a message to DC Council members to prioritize gun safety and vote NO to the $18 million budget cuts.
Thanks for taking action!
DC Grassroots Team
Everytown for Gun Safety
