Black and Brown Gun Violence Prevention Groups Praise Historic $5.36B Commitment to Community Violence Initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives of Black and Brown Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety groups issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s Infrastructure Package Announcement:

“For decades, Black and Brown communities have borne the disproportionate impact of interpersonal gun violence in our country. Today, we celebrate President Biden’s historic $5B commitment to fund community violence intervention and community based public safety solutions. With this investment of our federal tax dollars, we have an unprecedented opportunity to build an infrastructure of peace to heal and disrupt cycles of violence. By leveraging the expertise of those directly impacted by gun related trauma, we can shift from harm-based responses to violence to public health strategies that prioritize transformation and community empowerment.

Our Fund Peace coalition calls on Congress to support this bold and necessary investment by the Biden Administration. The totality of this Infrastructure Package will provide expedited and sustained relief and opportunity to our most vulnerable Americans.”

Fund Peace Leadership: Eddie Bocanegro, Heartland Alliance; Dr. Shani Buggs, University of California – Davis; Antonio Cediel, Faith in Action’s LIVE FREE USA; Mike De La Rocha, Revolve Impact; Erica Ford, Life Camp, Inc.; Greg Jackson, Community Justice Action Fund; Fatimah Loren Dreier, Health Alliance for Violence Intervention; Oresa Napper-Williams, Not Another Child; Anthony Smith, Cities United; Dr. Chico Tillmon, Gun Violence Prevention Expert; Pastor Michael McBride, Faith In Action’s LIVE FREE USA

Source: Rachel Ellis