Via WTMJ-4

By: Julia Marshall
Posted Aug 31, 2020

WISCONSIN — Racial justice and gun violence prevention groups are demanding that the Wisconsin legislature increase funding for anti-violence programs in Wisconsin.

A special session is happening Monday to discuss policing in Wisconsin and the "Invest in Us" campaign is demanding that the legislature fund targeted and comprehensive solutions to prevent violence without the use of guns or excessive force.

The Invest in Us campaign was created and launched Monday by the Community Justice Action Fund, Color of Change, March for Our Lives, the Wave Ed Fund, Amnesty International USA, Giffords Courage, and community leaders.

Their goal is to have the officer who shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times arrested and charged. They're also fighting for a special legislative session to "advance police accountability measures and invest in statewide community violence prevention efforts."

In a press release, the organizations said they would like to see legislation that includes $25 million for a statewide Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund.

According to a press release, "this fund would allow local communities in areas hardest hit by violence to strengthen and replicate effective models for lifesaving violence prevention initiatives."

The press release stated that Milwaukee alone spends $297,366,419 on policing each year but less than 1 percent of that goes towards community violence intervention programs.

"A statewide violence prevention fund would provide access to critical resources needed to implement strategies prioritized in our Blueprint for Peace,” said Reggie Moore, Injury and Violence Prevention Director for the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention. "Inaction by state legislators would be a further injustice to children, families, and communities impacted by high rates of gun violence, concentrated poverty, and systemic racism."