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Dear friend–

We hope this email finds you well.

This year has already been difficult for our country, specifically for communities of color. While our communities continue to be under attack by gun violence and a global pandemic, there is hope on the horizon. Starting next week, our country will have new leadership in Washington, DC and across states. With more allies in elected office, 2021 can be the year we will enact meaningful policies to end gun violence.

This year we are putting our new, bold, and community-driven policy agenda [[link removed]] into play to advocate for policies that prioritize the varied forms of violence that people of color experience on a daily basis. Join us TODAY, January 17 at 6PM CST/7PM EST [[link removed]] for our 2021 Kick-Off Call on what’s next for our work.

This week we wrapped up [[link removed]] the first of our 2021 volunteer meetings, to share new opportunities for those invested in ending gun violence in communities of color to directly contribute to our fight. Join us [[link removed]] and our network of over 1,000 volunteers at one of our meetings all this month and through February.

Thank you for your continued support,



In solidarity,



Andrea L. Pino-Silva

Communications Director








Upcoming Events & Opportunities:

11th Annual New York Peace Week by LIFE Camp — January 15th - 22nd

Hosted by LIFE Camp and the City of New York, Peace Week is a week-long series of events from January 15 – 22nd in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of non-violence. The goal of Peace Week is to create a culture of peace throughout our City by hosting events, performing activities or encouraging personal actions toward creating inner peace and setting a positive example for our young people. Learn more about the events here. [[link removed]]

Maryland Action Meeting & Phonebank —January 21

The Maryland Senate voted to override Governor Hogan's veto of SB 708 [[link removed]] , a bill that would allocate $3.6 million in critical funding to violence intervention and prevention programs across the state. In 2020 during the last session, CJAF worked alongside violence intervention staff, victim support service providers, frontline advocates and allied organizations to advocate, host briefings, testify at hearings, organize site visits, strategy calls and engagement of Senate leaders about this critical funding. Led by Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence and CJAF, this coalition included ROCA Inc., R.O.A.R., Shock Trauma, Safe Streets Baltimore, Giffords, The HAVI and other impactful local organizations.

Join our phonebank as we call Maryland House of Delegates to encourage them to override this veto. Sign up HERE [[link removed]] to join us!



CJAF Monthly Community Justice Update Call —January 26

January has been a historic month for the movement to gun violence. Join us for our monthly Community Building call, to get updates on Policy & Organizing fights and hear from champion Delegate Aird the lead on Breona Law enacted in Virginia. Join us on January 26 at 3:00 pm ET, RSVP here [[link removed]]

Volunteer Meetings

We are excited to get you all trained and ready for upcoming legislative fights to end gun violence this month. Please sign up for our 2021 volunteer meetings here [[link removed]] .

*
January
21st
-
Wisconsin
6:30
pm
CT
/
North
Carolina
6:30
pm
ET
*
January
26th
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Federal
7:30
pm
CT
*
January
27th
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Texas
6:30
pm
CT








Community Justice Policy Updates:

Nationwide:

State legislatures around the country started their new legislative sessions, however the threat of violence from white supremacists following the January 6 insurrection could temporarily impede policymaking. At least 13 state capitol buildings are closing on and/or leading up to the presidential inauguration on January 20, including California, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Baltimore, Maryland:

On December 23rd, Mayor Brandon Scott of Baltimore established the first Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement tasked with coordinating city agencies and community partners in the fight against violence in Baltimore. The Office will also work to ensure accountability across Baltimore’s holistic violence reduction strategy. It replaces and expands the scope of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. Click here [[link removed]] to learn more about this office.

Arkansas:

The Arkansas State Senate advanced "stand your ground" legislation, as SB 24 passed the Judiciary Committee. The bill removes the duty to retreat from the existing law on self-defense.








News of Interest:



• In 2020, 25 children were killed in Milwaukee — most by gun violence. This year is proving to be just as deadly. Thirteen year old Nevaeha Ware, whose brother was killed in 2017, lost her life to gun violence [[link removed]] last week.

• Jacob Blake shares his survivor story for the first time since he survived being shot seven times by Kenosha police in front of his children. “All I remember at that point was kinda leanin' back, lookin' at my boys..I said, 'Daddy, love you no matter what.'” Don’t miss his powerful interview [[link removed]] on Good Morning America.



• Over four months, a total of six children under the age of 16 were killed [[link removed]] in Akron, OH. All but one died from gunfire. Gun violence rates are up across the country, with children of color more and more at risk. [[link removed]]

• Patrick Warren Sr. was shot three times [[link removed]] by police in Kileen, Texas as he was having a mental health crisis. His family called 911 for mental health support, and instead police killed Patrick in his own home. Police violence is gun violence. Our thoughts are with his family.

• Earlier this month, OH Gov. DeWine signed SB175 into law [[link removed]] , removing the "duty to retreat" requirement before a gun owner can use lethal force in self-defense. Stand your ground laws are a license to kill, and are especially dangerous for people of color. This expansion will lead to deaths.

• The families of George Floyd, Jacob Blake and Eric Garner discussed how “there’s two systems of justice” in their first joint interview [[link removed]] , which aired last week on NBC's "Dateline."





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