Strides for Peace, an annual Chicago race to end gun violence, has taken the next step by expanding its mission to the Los Angeles community. On August 16, at the Dignity Health Sports Park, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., the event will bring together survivors, families, community violence intervention organizations, civic leaders, law enforcement, youth, and supporters from across Southern California in a shared commitment to honor lives lost to gun violence while uplifting those working every day to prevent it.
“Strides For Peace is thrilled to expand the Race Against Gun Violence to Los Angeles. This day is about honoring the lives lost to senseless gun violence and celebrating the work of the leaders, organizations, and intervention workers who are making a difference,” said Rubye Lane, Strides For Peace.
The morning begins with a pre-program at 8 a.m., featuring inspiring speakers, entertainment, community acknowledgments, and a celebration of organizations leading the peace movement. The Race Against Gun Violence will officially begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Kids for Peace Sprint at 10:00 a.m., offering children and families a fun, meaningful opportunity to promote hope, wellness, and unity.
America has seen an uptick in gun violence, but Los Angeles is doing their part to keep the community safe, particularly the kids.
According to data from the Gun Violence Archive and the U.S. Department of Education provided by the Gun Violence Data Hub, 353 LAUSD campuses – about 45 percent of schools – experienced at least one “school-adjacent shooting” in the past two years.
“It’s time to normalize positivity. If we continue to tolerate gun violence in our communities, then we’re contradicting the very change we claim to stand for. Real change begins when our collective voice becomes louder than the violence,” says Marc Maye, Executive Director, Project Blue.
Over five years, that number rises to 540 campuses, or 68 percent. Over the past decade, 626 campuses – 80 percent of the district’s schools – had gunfire recorded nearby. Those shootings resulted in 40 people injured and 27 killed.
“It’s enforcement. It’s getting out there and talking about what happens,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. “When it’s school time, we put an extra emphasis on making sure that kids can get to and from school safely; that’s a priority for us.”
Homicides in Los Angeles are down 15 percent so far this year, McDonnell said, noting the trend is moving in the right direction.
