FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 22, 2021
Media Contact: media@colorofchange.org
COLOR OF CHANGE ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE ACT TO FUND ANTI-GUN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
Washington, D.C. — Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, today announced its support for the Break the Cycle of Violence Act reintroduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Congressman Steven Horsford (D-NV). The legislation would allocate $5 billion through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for community-based grant programs to support anti-gun violence intervention initiatives, including violence interruption programs, hospital-based programs, and group violence intervention strategies through 2029. An additional $1.5 billion would be allocated for workforce development programs.
The full text of the Break the Cycle of Violence Act legislation is available here.
“We have long known that our public safety system is irreparably broken and is urgently in need of fixing,” said Scott Roberts, Senior Director of Criminal Justice Campaign, Color Of Change. “The Break the Cycle of Violence Act is a critical first step in reclassifying community violence as a public health issue and building the infrastructure needed to protect all communities. Color Of Change is proud to endorse this transformative legislation and will continue working with lawmakers to empower neighborhoods across the country to become stronger and safer.”
Currently, the bill has 18 Senate co-sponsors and 59 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives’ companion version of the bill. It has garnered support from civic and advocacy groups including Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action March For Our Lives, National Black and Brown Gun Violence Prevention Consortium, Cure Violence, National Network for Safe Communities, Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, African American Mayors Association, Amnesty International, American Public Health Association and the Invest in Us coalition.
Specifically, the Break the Cycle Act would:
- Fund community-based organizations and local governments with multi-year grants.
- Require community committees for local grants that include impacted community members.
- Specify law enforcement agencies cannot be funded by local government grants.
The Break The Cycle of Violence Act is part of Color Of Change’s larger mission to reimagine public safety. Color Of Change has also supported the People’s Response Act, a transformative proposal introduced by Representative Cori Bush. Also, the organization launched Safety Not Fear, one of several national campaigns to redefine public safety and reduce the size and scope of policing urging local, state, and federal officials to divest from local police departments; distance themselves from police unions, police foundations, and other police organizations; and invest in communities.
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Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in the United States. Visit www.colorofchange.org