FCNL’s inaugural Violence Interrupter Symposium was more than just an event which brought together passionate individuals and organizations — it was a journey showcasing true community. Initially strangers from various cities and states with unique stories, participants forged deep bonds, evolving into a true sense of family.
In Pennsylvania, cities like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Allentown are grappling with a grim reality: gun violence is snuffing out lives at an alarming rate. Roughly 557 Pennsylvanians die in gun homicides each year. Of all homicides statewide, 76 percent involve a gun (slightly higher than the national average of 74 percent), highlighting the urgent need for action.
Following the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump last weekend, we joined people of faith and conscience around the country to reject political violence in all its forms. Just as violence is not the answer to political conflict here at home, it is not the answer to security challenges abroad.
The Biden administration is moving forward with a new shipment of 1,700 500-pound bombs to Israel, reversing its vow to suspend weapons transfers if Israel moved forward with its assault on Rafah.
Independence Day is a chance to appreciate our democracy. Yesterday, we celebrated the 248th birthday of the United States of America. But today, many of us are deeply concerned about the health of our democratic system.
While it’s natural to feel anxious, never let anyone make you feel like your voice doesn’t matter or that you can’t make a difference. Despair is a threat and a lie. Our faith calls us to commitment and courage.
This week for the first time, the federal government formally declared what we have long known: gun violence is a public health crisis.
As Iranian writer Dina Nayeri said, “It is the obligation of every person born in a safer room to open the door when someone in danger knocks.”
This week, President Joe Biden took bold action to provide protections and opportunities for many of our undocumented neighbors.
This week, Congress took an important step toward addressing the painful legacy of Indian boarding schools.
On Thursday, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce passed the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (H.R. 7227) with overwhelming bipartisan support.
We hope Congress will move swiftly to bring this bill to the floor and pass it so that we can begin the long overdue work of truth, justice, and healing for Native communities.
Disagreements disproportionately turn violent in marginalized communities plagued with disinvestment, oppression, and a history of trauma. We must look to intervention models that work to prevent neighborhood gun violence.
The intersection of U.S. housing policies and community violence illuminates a stark reality: systemic racism has perpetuated socio-economic disparities linked to increased urban violence. Investing in violence interrupter (VI) programs is an imperative step to breaking this cycle, offering localized solutions to mitigate and strategically confront violence rooted in systemic racism.
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