Friend,
Despite a tragic summer, September was a month of historic strides for our mission to end gun violence. Across the nation and in Washington, we have seen renewed energy to advance a public health approach and address hate-fueled violence. This newsletter is a breakdown of our progress as we look forward to reaching new heights this Fall.
A huge highlight from this last month was the progress of our “Invest In Us” campaign, where we successfully passed the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, through the House of Representatives in Congress which would bring $6.5 billion to life-saving community violence intervention efforts. We saw a major $355 million investment, in Pennsylvania, for community violence prevention programs to create safer communities in the Northeast. Lastly, $100 million is officially going to communities most in need, as The Department of Justice officially announced the first ever Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative Grantees.
We also want to take a moment to remember those recently lost to gun violence, including entertainer and father PnB Rock, and all of the communities still reeling from the devastating losses this summer. We continue to support and amplify the voices of the families and leaders working to make their communities safer. In solidarity, Greg Jackson Executive Director
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Events & Opportunities: We are kicking off exciting events as the new month approaches. Make sure you are staying engaged with Community Justice! Sign up for our emails and join our community here.
Community Justice is hiring! Our team is composed of passionate advocates of color who directly reflect the Black and Brown communities we’re fighting to protect. Find out more about our job opportunities here. Volunteer Opportunities:
Join our online community! If you’re interested in staying up to date with Community Justice efforts, news on the effects of gun violence and ways that you can help combat gun violence in our society, please like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Learn more about issues and solutions that affect our community and aid in our fight to end gun violence.
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We’re Live! Community Justice Online Store |
Community Justice has launched our virtual store that includes merchandise for survivors, front-line workers, and supporters of the gun violence prevention movement. Each purchase contributes to our efforts to end gun violence in our country and the Black and Brown communities that are impacted the most. Shop our new collection.
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| United We Stand Summit
Community Justice was honored to attend the White House event, alongside our partners, that was held to counter the destructive effects of the hate-filled acts of violence witnessed by communities across the country.
The United We Stand Summit brought together anti-hate activists, gun violence prevention champions and survivors for a moment in history to promote healing and unity among those working each day to end gun violence in our communities. |
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Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: 51st Annual Legislative Conference
From September 28th - October 2nd the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) hosted the Advancing Our Purpose, Elevating Our Power, legislative conference in Washington D.C. Community Justice kicked off the first day with fellow violence prevention leaders, elected officials, and change-makers for social justice.
On a panel of community safety and gun violence prevention experts, our organization lent its voice to highlight the importance of community-based investments to combat the uptick of death and injuries by gunfire, along with the importance of policy aimed to protect populations most at risk.
“The Community-based Solutions to Enhancing Public Safety: Evidence-based Approaches to Stopping Gun Violence,” panel, led by congressional ally Senator Cory Booker, underscores the urgency to provide the resources proven to protect our homes, schools, and neighborhoods from the grips of tragedy and break violent cycles.
Visit our page for continued updates from the conference and to watch footage from the event. |
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National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022
Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized from September 15 - October 15. This year, the Community Justice Organizing Team kicked off the month-long celebration with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) to highlight the disproportionate effects of gun violence among Latino youth, and the ways that we can support community and school-based programs that encourage better safety.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
We know that we cannot end the gun violence epidemic without addressing violence in all of its forms. Individuals living in historically marginalized groups and communities with limited community resources are most vulnerable to domestic and intimate partner violence. Be sure to visit our social media platforms, throughout October, to learn more about the importance of honoring victims and working to address the root causes of violence. Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: 51st Annual Legislative Conference
From September 28th - October 2nd the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) hosted the Advancing Our Purpose, Elevating Our Power, legislative conference in Washington D.C. Community Justice kicked off the first day with fellow violence prevention leaders, elected officials, and change-makers for social justice.
On a panel of community safety and gun violence prevention experts, our organization lent its voice to highlight the importance of community-based investments to combat the uptick of death and injuries by gunfire, along with the importance of policy aimed to protect populations most at risk.
“The Community-based Solutions to Enhancing Public Safety: Evidence-based Approaches to Stopping Gun Violence,” panel, led by congressional ally Senator Cory Booker, underscores the urgency to provide the resources proven to protect our homes, schools, and neighborhoods from the grips of tragedy and break violent cycles. Visit our page for continued updates from the conference and to watch footage from the event.
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State & Federal Legislative Updates |
Ohio – Governor Mike DeWine announced that support is now available for non-profits and governmental agencies to prevent violence and connect crime victims to recovery services. A total of $20 million in grant funding is now available as part of Governor DeWine's new Community Violence Prevention Grant Program. The grant program is aimed at supporting community-based nonprofits, law enforcement agencies, and state and local government entities that have implemented or would like to implement collaborative approaches toward reducing community violence.
Wisconsin – The Medical College of Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Community Safety Fund recently called for requests for applications for entities that provide community violence intervention services outside of Milwaukee. A total of $10,400,000 is available for three-year grants ranging from $300,000 to $1,000,000 annually will be funded. Minnesota — Minnesota’s Community Violence Intervention coalition met with Sen. Tina Smith’s office to discuss the importance of violence intervention & prevention strategies and the value of having support for this kind of work from federal legislators.
New York — Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $1 million in funding will go towards establishing outreach programs in New York State. The state will fund the SNUG outreach programs in Niagara Falls and Utica. Once established, the two new programs will bring the total SNUG chapters around the state to 14. SNUG is currently in Albany, Bronx, Buffalo, Hempstead, Mt. Vernon, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Syracuse, Rochester, Troy, Wyandanch, and Yonkers.
California — The City of Bakersfield has committed to investing $6M towards reducing gang violence in a program focused specifically on youth. California lawmakers rejected a new firearms tax that would have gone toward gun violence prevention to fund CalVIPP, but the bill was seven votes short of the supermajority it needed in the state Senate in an initial vote.
Texas — The City Council of San Antonio has released their RFP for applicants in violence intervention and prevention to apply for ARPA funds to continue sustaining their work. Houston, TX - Mayor Turner, the Houston Health Dept. and My Brothers Keeper, an outreach prevention program from the Houston Health Dept announce their support for training and licensing for gun owners, universal background checks, elimination of loopholes, Red Flag laws, Ban on 3D printed firearms, Prohibiting the sale of assault weapons to those under 21 years of age.
Pennsylvania — Gov. Wolf of Pennsylvania announces a $335M commitment to safer communities which includes $85.5M for the Violence Intervention and Prevention Program for community organizations. to request funding for CVI projects. |
Break The Cycle of Violence Act
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4118 - Break the Cycle of Violence Act–the lifesaving legislation led by congressional supporter Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV). The bill authorizes $5 billion in federal grant funding for Community Violence Intervention (CVI) strategies, increases federal funding for hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIP), and supports evidence-based street outreach and youth employment programs for those most at risk of violence.
This historic moment further solidifies the work of gun violence prevention activists, survivors, and community leaders, who are on the front lines working to save lives and make our communities safer. These critical investments into our communities bring us one step closer to our goal. Now, we must work together to get the bill passed in the Senate.
Join us in engaging and calling your senators to take action to end gun violence. |
Community Justice in the News
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The Chronicle of Philanthropy: The New Gun-Control Movement
[Amber] Goodwin left Giffords in 2016 to start the Community Justice Action Fund, which aims to bring more attention and funding to grassroots violence-prevention organizations led by people of color. Last year, she handed the reins to Greg Jackson, a Black survivor of gun violence…Movement veterans credit Goodwin and Jackson for bringing attention and private and government funding to grassroots organizations trying to stop violence in their communities. The Biden White House has revamped grant programs at several federal agencies to make such groups eligible for more than $14 billion in funding, according to the Community Justice Action Fund.
Knoxville News Sentinel: To end gun violence, leaders say, Knoxville must alleviate stifling Black Poverty
Greg Jackson, a gun violence intervention expert and executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund in Washington, D.C., told Knox News that gun violence in Black communities is also more than just a youth problem.“Community leaders have to look at the root causes of this violence. Violence in the Black community is not simply just a crime problem. It’s a cycle of poverty and trauma," he said. "We have to look at these issues beyond crime control and decrease the risk factors. Invest in addressing what leads to these violent incidents."
The Trace: A Scorecard for Cities on Community-Violence Intervention
“A scorecard for community violence intervention. The Black-led Community Justice Action Fund, a violence prevention group that has pushed the White House for greater federal support for such efforts, released a new report looking at how 50 cities with the highest numbers of shootings in 2021 allocated federal funding” Crain's Cleveland Business: Gun violence is a public health crisis that deserves a public health response
“Almost three years into a global pandemic, communities across the country have become all too familiar with public health emergencies, epidemics, and the vital role local, state, and federal governments play in developing and implementing public health strategies to save lives. As the attention of the nation shifts from COVID-19, gun violence advocates and survivors like me are leading the charge at the local, state, and federal levels to demand our leaders act on a whole-of-government approach to curb the gun violence epidemic and keep our communities safe.”
Chicago Mayor's Office: Report: City of Chicago’s Comprehensive Approach to Violence Prevention Among Best in Nation “Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced The Community Justice Action Fund’s inaugural City Violence Prevention Index (VPI) and scorecard ranked Chicago among the top cities in the nation for achieving the broadest range of violence prevention programs, services, and policies. |
The Guardian: Biden ‘determined to ban assault weapons as he lays out crime prevention plans – as it happened
“The US politics blog is closing now and will resume tomorrow. It’s been a busy day in news from Washington, DC, and beyond of a political nature, finishing with US president Joe Biden’s speech in Pennsylvania on gun safety and law enforcement. Here’s how the day went: Joe Biden said he is “determined” to achieve an assault weapons ban in the US. The push to reenact such a ban formed a centerpiece of the Safer America Plan that the president laid out in an address this afternoon in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.”
The Washington Post: Maxwell Frost is figuring out how to be Gen Z's likely first congressman
“One week after winning his first-ever political campaign, Maxwell Alejandro Frost was grappling with a fresh decision: Where should I go on vacation? Plans to ride roller coasters with his girlfriend in Tampa were scrapped due to unpredictable stormy weather, and now Frost was deciding between rerouting to Miami or Charleston in South Carolina. He wasn’t convinced any of it was a good idea.” |
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