Our ongoing organizing and leadership to support Oakland’s Ceasefire Initiative has reduced gun violence in the city by 52 percent since 2012. The successful Oakland work became the model for what is now Faith in Action’s national Live Free campaign, working in 15 states and 30 cities to end gun violence and stop mass incarceration.
A Case Study in Hope: Lessons from Oakland’s Remarkable Reduction in Gun Violence
Together we fight to end mass incarceration, stop gun violence, and build economic dignity for the hard to employ. Through the Live Free campaign, we work to address the root causes of violence and crime, and the cycle of mass incarceration that disproportionately affects the lives of young people of color. Our efforts are focused on creating pathways to prosperity and peace for the communities that are experiencing violence so that families can live safely and thrive. FIA East Bay is currently organizing to have the Ceasefire strategy adopted in Contra Costa County cities.
Our three main goals are achieved by:
- Contributing to a reduction in mass incarceration among young people of color through effective initiatives related to employment, counseling and education; winning commitments to reduce probation sentences from Alameda County Chief of Probation, Public Defenders and District Attorney; reducing barriers to Prop 47 Reclassification for thousands of Alameda County residents and provided direct legal and service support to individuals seeking reclassification.
- Actively preventing homicides and gun violence through Ceasefire, a partnership with the City of Oakland and other community partners that includes night walks and call-ins. Over the past three years we have sustained weekly Friday night walks in deep East Oakland, engaging over 1,000 community members; participated in regular Ceasefire call-ins and follow-up services with individuals caught in cycles of violence; and participated in procedural justice trainings with OPD to build police-community relation.
- Pursuing public and private sector partnerships to eliminate barriers that block economic development and prevent the hard-to-employ from obtaining jobs. We have helped to secure $1 million for job training and employment on the Brooklyn Basin project and laid groundwork for Oakland United coalition to secure community benefits in the Coliseum City project.
Pray for peace. Walk for peace. Join a Ceasefire Walk.
Learn about upcoming Ceasefire Walks on our Events page.
