Dear friend–
June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, and this year feels particularly significant. We are almost halfway through this year, and 2021 has already proven to be unforgettable in the movement to end gun violence. In six months, our country has endured over 200 mass shootings—with communities of color being hit the hardest. We want to extend our support and condolences to those impacted by the traumatic shootings this past week in Miami, San Jose, and all over the country.
No one should live in a world where celebrating a birthday, going to work, or spending time with friends comes with the risk of gun violence.
This Gun Violence Awareness Month, we will uplift the stories of survivors of gun violence and leaders in our communities that are working every day to prevent violence. June is also LGBTQ Pride Month. Our communities can't be safe if LGBTQ people continue to be at risk of violence, particularly Black transgender people. Queer and trans liberation is a critical part of the fight to end violence, and this month we continue to affirm this and will celebrate the queer and trans leaders of our movement.
While rates of violence have been up, advocates have been working tirelessly to demand that policymakers fund critical community violence prevention programs.
And we are winning.
- President Biden released his Budget which includes requests for the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to include $200 million to support a new Community Violence Intervention initiative to implement evidence-based community violence interventions locally. This funding is an addition to the American Jobs Plan’s $5 billion investment over eight years for community violence intervention and prevention programs.
- In Atlanta, Mayor Bottoms announced $5 million of funding for violence prevention programs.
- In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $200 million in funding for its California Violence and Intervention Program (CALVIP).
- In Connecticut, the Governor announced $3 million in funding for community violence intervention and prevention programs.
While this year has been immensely difficult, the people closest to the pain of violence will continue to fight to be heard.
This month we commemorate our 5 year anniversary of fighting for communities most impacted and we know it has been supporters like you that have made this milestone possible. Please join us on June 30th.
Thank you for playing such a major role on this journey.
In solidarity,
Greg Jackson Jr.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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Save the Date: Our Five-Year Anniversary Celebration
This year marks the five year anniversary of The Community Justice Action Fund’s founding! Please save the date for our upcoming five-year anniversary celebration on June 30, 2021 at 3:00 pm ET! RSVP here.
June Building Community Call:
The goal of our Building Community call is to introduce advocates to the issues that intersect with gun violence in communities of color and provide them the opportunity to learn from experts and distinguished professionals in a particular arena. June’s theme will be uplifting LGBTQ+ leaders during Pride month, as we continue to celebrate Gun Violence Awareness month. We hope you can join us on June 29, 2021 at 3:00 pm ET. RSVP here
Fund Peace Campaign Presents: Fund Peace Summits!
This year we worked with partners to build a large campaign composed of local leaders, activists, service providers and survivors from Black and brown communities demanding that policymakers “Fund Peace” by investing in community violence intervention and prevention efforts. This month we kicked off our weekly Fund Peace Summits to uplift local voices in this effort. Shout out to activist and rapper Bun B for attending our Houston event and you can learn more about this campaign at www.fundpeacenow.com
The Fight in Maryland:
Last month, President Joe Biden announced the American Rescue Plan, with guidance by the Department of Treasury on funding made available to community violence prevention organizations throughout the country. In Maryland, we’re fighting for counties to allocate 2% of the funding to proven solutions. Sign up to volunteer here.
Invest In Us Coalition:
We organized a robust coalition of national advocacy groups to push for federal funding to address gun violence. Since it’s beginning, we’ve achieved HISTORIC executive actions from President Joe Biden and are focused on getting Congress to step up to push for federal funding. Learn more about the coalition at www.investinuscoalition.org and sign up to volunteer with our federal efforts to fund violence prevention and intervention efforts.
Volunteer Opportunities
Throughout the month of June, we are in need of activists, survivors, leaders and concerned citizens to join volunteer teams to advance bold policy to end gun violence. From training, text banks and phone banks there are many ways that you can take action. Look below for more information on upcoming volunteering opportunities, we hope to see you there! Click for a full list of events here!
- June Texas Volunteer Call
- Tuesday, June 8th at 6:30 pm CST. RSVP here
- June Federal Volunteer Call
- Thursday, June 10th at 7:30 pm CST. RSVP here
- 50 State Rapid Response Program
- Gun Violence is an epidemic that is affecting and taking lives everyday. 50 State Rapid Response program in order to have a unified, collective national voice when we have to respond to gun violence happening in communities of color. If you’re interested in signing up please click here.
Opportunities to Take Action Online:
CJAF has launched our Online Action Center where volunteers & advocates can regularly take action online to help end gun violence. Here are three ways to take action:
Urge Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer to support the American Jobs Plan:
Join us in calling on our Congressional leaders to swiftly pass President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, which includes the critical $5 billion investment in community violence prevention and intervention programs.
Community Justice Policy Updates
FEDERAL:
FY 2022 Budget
- The Biden Administration released its FY2022 Budget at the end of the week. Highlights of the budget include $200 million in discretionary funds between the Justice Department and Health and Human Services for a new Community Violence Intervention initiative intended to support local efforts.
Key Legislation
- The Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act of 2021 is making its way through Congress. HR 1260, authored by Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), passed the House on May 12 and is now with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).
STATE UPDATES:
California:
- CalVIP Funding
- Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that CalVIP, the grant program that supports community-based violence prevention throughout the state, is designated to receive $200 million in his recent budget proposal.
- CalVIP was stripped from AB 1223, which places an excise tax on firearms and ammunition. It is unclear why this change was made, but it is causing some advocates to withdraw their support.
Colorado:
- The Centennial State may get its own statewide Office of Violence Prevention. HB 21-1299, introduced by Reps. Jennifer Bacon and Tom Sullivan, passed the House on May 17 and was introduced to the Senate the next day. The bill establishes an office of gun violence prevention within the Department of Public Health and the Environment.
Illinois:
- Gov. Pritzker announced his FY2022 Budget, which included an allocation of more than $100 million for multi-pronged, comprehensive violence prevention and intervention in Illinois.
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Community Justice in the News
Blavity: The Key To Fighting Gun Violence Is Investment In The Community, Not More Policing
“While the movements to end gun violence have come a long way, this movement’s work is far from over. The time to end all forms of gun violence is now, and we won’t rest until we see true action to honor the lives of those lost.” Greg Jackson joined Daud Mumin from March for Our Lives to write an op-ed on the urgency of funding our communities to end gun violence.
Good Morning America: 41-year-old sends powerful message with law school graduation photo
Our Founder and Executive Director Amber Goodwinis graduating from law school this Spring! She attended law school during the pandemic, led CJAF, and was a visible leader in the gun violence prevention movement. Congratulations, Amber!
"Please fund us correctly, robustly, allow us to address and attack epidemic of violence because we are the cure and we know how to address it.” —CJAF Senior advisor Dr. Chico Tillmon at the #FundPeace rally in Milwaukee, WI this weekend on the urgency to #InvestinUs.
News of Interest
Teen Vogue: Darnella Frazier, Teen Who Filmed George Floyd’s Murder, Speaks Out About Her Trauma
“Everyone talks about the girl who recorded George Floyd’s death, but to actually be her is a different story." Powerful interview with Darnella Frazier, the teen who filmed George Floyd’s murder on how the trauma stays with her.
US News: Amid Infrastructure Talks, Investment in Community Gun Violence Prevention Is Critical
“The blueprint of any gun violence infrastructure must recognize that the expert architects of such systems often reside in these very same communities.”
Great oped from Andrew V. Papachristos and Daniel Webster on why to #EndGunViolence leaders must #InvestinUs.
Nine people were killed at a mass shooting in San Jose, California. Our thoughts are with the families of all impacted.
Wisconsin State Journal: Madison delivers $225,000 to community partners to address violence
Madison is giving $225,000 to eight community organizations to help address the needs of low-income people and minorities who’ve suffered a disparate level of violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABC News: Domestic violence shootings affect more than just partners
“In 61% of mass shootings, defined as having 4 or more victims, from 2014-2017, perpetrators had previously been involved in the justice system for domestic violence offenses.” Too many perpetrators of gun violence have a history of gender based violence.
VOX:We should be talking about the death of Mikayla Miller
Mikayla Miller, a queer Black girl, was found dead a day after she was assaulted. There are still no answers. Our thoughts are with Mikayla’s family as they demand justice, and with all queer youth of color who are more likely to experience violence.
Smartcitiesdive: Mayors 'reimagining public safety and policing' in wake of recent violence
"The recent commitments from the Biden-Harris administration to invest in community violence intervention, and to invest specifically in marginalized communities of color, are potentially game-changing," said Dr. Shani Buggs regarding the Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan having the potential to help mitigate violence.
Police violence is gun violence. Even though the world marched for George Floyd, lives keep being stolen.
Pink News: Trans Teen Kidnapped and Shot Dead. He Was Only 17 Years Old.
Oliver “Ollie” Taylor, a trans teenager, was kidnapped and shot in Oregon. He was 17. Gun violence takes the lives of too many transgender people. Our thoughts are with Ollie’s family and community.
CNN: Black Lives Matter activist in critical condition after being shot in head in London
Activist Sasha Johnson is in critical condition after being shot in the head in London. Johnson was threatened before and likely targeted for her advocacy. She is a mother of three, and a leader in her community. We are hoping for her recovery.
“The violence that we are seeing is hugely interpersonal violence/domestic violence,and so as a woman,it's important to address those issues.”—Arnitta Holliman,new leader of the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, on why we must address root causes.
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