Dear friend–
We hope this email finds you safe and well.
July marks the halfway point through summer, and gun violence has been at a record high across the country. While rates of violence are increasing, we remain committed to our mission of fighting for safer communities by calling on policymakers to fund critical community-based violence prevention and intervention programs. Local leaders are also recognizing that bold and historic actions are needed to combat this crisis. Cities and states such as Philadelphia, Little Rock, Connecticut, and Oakland have recently committed to funding CVI programs and we are building serious momentum across the country to secure funding for these life changing strategies!
This month we also hosted Justice Camp 2.0, a 3-day virtual learning lab, with our partners at Cities United. It was an informative and interactive week as attendees learned about the fundamentals of advocating for investments and peace in the fight to end gun violence.
In case you missed Justice Camp 2.0 there are many more opportunities to get plugged into our efforts during the month of August. While Congress is in recess, we will be calling on Congress to pass the Break The Cycle Of Violence Act, and putting pressure on states, cities, and counties to allocate a percentage of American Rescue Plan funding to community violence intervention strategies. Keep reading to see how you can help us end gun violence!
We believe another world is possible, and with your support we can make this our reality!
Onwards,
Greg Jackson Jr.
Advocacy Director
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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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 policy makers “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. You can learn more about this campaign at www.fundpeacenow.com
July Building Community Call: Justice Camp 2.0 Recap: On July 27, 2021 at 2pm CT/3pm ET, we will host our monthly Building Community call. This month, we will recap Justice Camp 2.0 and provide updates on our Federal policy and advocacy efforts. You can sign up here. We can’t wait to see you there!
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 August, we will need your help to call on Congress to pass the Break the Cycle of Violence Act. The BCVA would make sweeping changes to the current federal response to gun violence. Throughout August Recess, town halls and events will take place in-person and virtually to call on Congress to pass this historic legislation. If you’re interested in joining please check out our action center here.
50 State Rapid Response Program
Gun Violence is an epidemic that is affecting and taking lives everyday. We created the 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 are interested in signing up please click here.
Opportunities to Take Action Online:
CJAF launched its Online Action Center where volunteers & advocates can regularly take action online to help end gun violence. We are currently putting our focus behind the Break the Cycle of Violence Act and you can complete actions by clicking below:
Community Justice Policy Updates
FEDERAL:
Gun Violence Plan
- The Biden-Harris Administration announced a comprehensive strategy to tackle gun violence across the nation on June 24th. Some initiatives include investing in evidence-based community violence intervention, summer youth programming, expanding services for teens and young adults, and aiding formerly incarcerated individuals as they reenter their communities. Learn more about his strategy here.
Department of Justice
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Building on the Justice Department’s Violent Crime Reduction Initiatives, the DOJ plans to launch five cross-jurisdictional firearms trafficking strike forces to address illegal gun trafficking. We believe this effort will have a major impact on the flood of firearms illegally into our Black and Brown communities.
Break the Cycle of Violence Act
- Senator Cory Booker and Representative Steven Horsford introduced the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, groundbreaking legislation that will provide funding for community led evidence-based gun violence intervention and prevention programs- the largest proposed investment in history! We are proud to share this bill is at 66 co-sponsors and growing! Learn more about it here.
STATE UPDATES:
California:
- Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a $200 million investment in the CalVIP program, which was created through legislation he signed in 2019 to support evidence-based local initiatives designed to break the cycle of violence in disproportionately impacted communities, among other public safety investments by the Governor.
Colorado:
- Colorado passed half a dozen laws meant to curb gun violence in the state. Some of the new laws include HB21-1255, Protection Order Issues Against Domestic Abusers, meant to restrict people who have had a protection order issued against them from keeping their guns. They also include HB21-1106 and SB21-078, concerning safe storage and stolen or missing firearms, respectively.
New York:
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Governor Cuomo of New York declared gun violence a statewide “disaster emergency”, the first of its kind in the nation, allowing the state to allocate $139 million to address gun violence and provide resources to areas of New York where gun violence is rampant. Click here to read more about these bold initiatives!
Missouri:
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HCR13, would have created a tax incentive and financial support for growers converting vacant lots into gardens. The measure comes after a new grassroots ecosystem of urban growers, farmers markets, community leaders who are attempting to curb gun violence by targeting food insecurity. The legislation failed to pass.
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Community Justice in the News
The Key To Fighting Gun Violence Is Investment In The Community, Not More Policing CJAF leadership was featured in Blavity alongside March for Our Lives about the importance of investing in communities instead of more policing.
Just like COVID-19, gun violence is a public health crisis Our Advocacy Director, Greg Jackson drafted an Op-Ed in the Hill about the connection between the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis of gun violence in our communities across the country.
Washington Post: Biden lays out strategy to tackle rising homicides
The Biden-Harris Administration announced a new comprehensive strategy to tackle gun violence across the nation, including investing in evidence-based community violence intervention programs.
Black News Channel Greg Jackson was featured on BNC to speak on the importance of re-introducing the Break The Cycle Of Violence Act.
All In with Chris Hayes, MSNBC Our Founder and Executive Director, Amber Goodwin, joined Chris Hayes to discuss community-based strategies to combat the rise in gun violence.
FOX 26 With a rise in gun violence in Houston, Texas, Amber joined FOX 26 to share the importance of understanding the root causes of gun violence.
Gun Control In America, Al Jazeera Greg Jackson touched on Biden’s commitment to funding community violence intervention programs and the root causes of gun violence.
Black policy advocates played role in Biden’s gun crime prevention plan Following the announcement of Biden’s comprehensive strategy, TheGrio highlights the role CJAF played in advocating for these measures.
The Mehdi Hasan Show, Peacock TV Our Advocacy Director, Greg Jackson, joined Mehdi Hasan to provide detail on community-based violence interruption programs and emphasize the importance of funding these initiatives.
News of Interest
A public health intervention for violence across the Americas
“A worldwide violence epidemic has impacted communities across the globe though nowhere
DC Mayor Bowser Proposes $59 Million Toward Effort to Reduce Gun Violence
Mayor Muriel Bowser is committing millions of dollars in funding for what she calls the "whole of community" approach to gun violence.
Cuomo declares disaster emergency on gun violence in New York
“If we want to stop gun violence, we can’t just turn the wheel back to the enforcement-first playbook of the past, we have to break the cycle of trauma that’s driving it.”
There's a Proven Way to Reduce Gun Violence in America's Cities. We Just Need to Fund It
Funding violence prevention organizations is a proven solution to ending gun violence.
Stats show gun violence now higher than ever; local leaders pushing for change
As gun violence reaches historic levels, leaders are calling for more action.
Introducing “Aftershocks,” a Series About Surviving Gun Violence in Chicago
The Trace highlights the aftershocks of gun violence with a focus on Chicago.
Nevada Representative Steven Horsford shares his personal experience with gun violence and what led to the creation of the Break the Cycle of Violence Act
Curbing killings also means changing culture
The Virginia Community Violence Coalition is requesting $37 million from American Rescue Plan funding to support community-based violence intervention and prevention strategies.
Community Justice Action Fund
1875 K St NW
Washington, DC 20006
United States
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