This June, the U.S. Justice Department shared plans to curb gun violence trafficking in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and other cities grappling with gun violence. Following this announcement, READI Chicago’s Eddie Bocanegra met with President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss the importance of investing in community-based violence interventions, ahead of the unveiling of the president’s plan to combat violent crime and promote safer communities.
Also present for the conversation were Attorney General Merrick Garland; City of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott; Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cara; New Jersey Attorney General Burbir Grewal; Chief of the Baton Rouge Police Department Murphy Paul, Jr.; and Advance Peace Founder and CEO Devone Boggan.
Following the meeting, President Biden announced his plans to curb violent crime and gun violence by focusing on community-based interventions and stricter gun enforcement laws.
The president, Eddie said, was focused on hearing firsthand what communities need to heal and recover from decades of disinvestment, poverty, and trauma. While the past year has seen violent crime and homicides increase, READI Chicago has been able to successfully keep individuals safe and free. Eddie conveyed that in order to save the most lives, it’s critical to put our country’s resources where they will have the greatest impact, by helping to build safer communities across the U.S. Conversations like these are critical to continuing to build safer communities across the U.S.
“I was focused on uplifting the voices of the men I’ve grown up with and now work with—people dealing with the real physical, emotional, and generational toll of gun violence,” Eddie said. “It was powerful witnessing the president of the United States listen to what is working and what still needs to be done, and then to hear that commitment reflected in his announcement.”
