Newark, NJ – PICO National Network’s state-based affiliate, Faith in New Jersey (FINJ), today announced an April 8, gun violence prevention training for students and teens in Newark, NJ. This is the second such training FINJ, which launches campaigns to ensure immigrant justice, police reform, criminal justice reform and mass incarceration, has organized. The first training was held March 11 and included more than 40 students who ranged from middle schoolers to college students.
“Young people have been wanting to take action to address gun violence in their communities, and Faith in New Jersey has been instrumental in providing a foundation for them to have an impact in their communities,” said Archange Antoine, executive director of Faith in New Jersey. “The training laid the groundwork for the student walkout and their participation in the national March for Life.”
The purpose of the March 11 training was to equip the students with proven organizing strategies to tackle gun violence in urban communities. Following the March 11 training, the students traveled to Atlanta to participate in a gun violence prevention town hall meeting organized by PICO National Network’s LIVE FREE program, which works to end gun violence and mass incarceration.
At the April 8 training, students will learn how to:
- Plan and execute successful actions;
- Build power in local communities;
- Work with the media; and
- Collaborate with allies that are fighting against gun violence in the suburbs and cities.
“This is not the time for elected leaders to turn their backs on youth or communities suffering from gun violence in all its forms – police violence, mass shootings and urban gun violence,” Antoine said. “In addition to our traditional organizing work, we are excited to help support the activism of students, and ensure elected leaders are responsive to their concerns.”
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