ICYMI: Community Justice Hosts Policy & Advocacy Summit and Lobby Action Day on the Hill, Calling for Gun Violence Prevention Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2024

Contact: CJAF@skdknick.com

Left: Rep. Lucy McBath accepting the “Triumph” Policymaker award from Amber Goodwin, Founder of Community Justice & Anthony Smith, Executive Director of Cities United. Right: Vincent Pierson with Players Coalition & Paula Park from The Rocket Foundation participate in a panel led by Marcus Ellis, Executive Director, Peace for DC Executive Director.

WASHINGTON  – This week, Community Justice hosted its annual Policy & Advocacy Summit and Lobby Action Day in Washington, D.C. alongside Players Coalition, an athlete-led nonprofit organization committed to advocating for social justice and racial equity founded by NFL players Anquan Boldin and Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins joined Community Justice on Capitol Hill to announce a $1 million investment in violence prevention nonprofits and community-based organizations across the country, including Community Justice. 

Along with offering in-depth workshops on organizing, policy, and advocacy, providing a dynamic platform for strategic legislative discussions with nearly 30 prominent policymakers or staffs including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and U.S. Reps. Troy Carter (D-La.), Greg Casar (D-Tex.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Lizzy Fletcher (D-Tex.), Al Green (D-Tex.), Garret Graves (R-La.), Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), David Trone (D-Md.).

The two-day Summit culminated with a meeting with the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, to discuss necessary preventive, community-based solutions to violence. 

You can find the POLITICO Playbook mention here and below:
“SPOTTED: former NFL player Malcolm Jenkins and former MLS player Justin Morrow on the Hill with the Players Coalition advocating for gun violence prevention.”

On Twitter (X), partner organizations amplified Community Justice’s continued leadership in gun violence prevention advocacy and the organization’s work to empower Black and Brown communities.

Twitter, @playercoalition: Yesterday, we held a press conference in Washington D.C. to announce our $1 Million investment in #ViolencePrevention! Read more: http://shorturl.at/dmqAX.  @CJACTIONFUND @justmorrow @MalcolmJenkins

Twitter, @PeaceforDC: Happening today: @CJACTIONFUND 2024 Advocacy Summit & Lobby Day! We’re so proud to be part of this movement. 🧡 #EndGunViolence #ASLD2024 @Marcus_T_Ellis @NBAFoundation @YouthOverGuns

Twitter,@playercoalition: We joined our partner @CJACTIONFUND to meet with several Members of Congress to advocate for evidence-based policy solutions in the fight against gun violence in communities of color.

Twitter, @CitiesUnited: Our staff and network members are in DC at the @CJActionFund 2024 Advocacy Summit today! This day has been informative and we are excited to continue building connections and the pushing this work forward with everyone.

Twitter, @tymetothrive: Day Two Recap: @CJACTIONFUND Advocacy Summit, we stood in solidarity with CJAF while engaging with state representatives to discuss Gun Violence Prevention efforts happening in Georgia. #TymetoThriveBeyondGrief #SupportSurvivors @ReverendWarnock @ossoff

Twitter @playercoalition: $1 Million investment toward #ViolencePrevention ✅. Let’s get to work! #GunViolencePrevention

Twitter, @playercoalition: 🚨ANNOUNCEMENT🚨 We’re committed to investing in community-based organizations to address violence through a public health lens. #violenceprevention #Gunviolence

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About Community Justice

Community Justice is a non-partisan project of Tides Center and builds power for communities of color to end gun violence. 

About Players Coalition

Players Coalition is an independent 501(c)(3) (charity) and 501(c)(4) (advocacy) organization, working with more than 1,400 professional athletes, coaches and owners across professional sports leagues to improve social justice and racial equality in our country.