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Redwoods Peace Colloquy Focuses on Racism and Gun Violence

The theme for the recently concluded 2024 Redwoods Peace Colloquy held in Washington D.C. from September 6-9 was “Racism and Gun Violence: People of God Respond.” Sponsored by the Sierra Pacific Mission Center of Community of Christ, the colloquy was a rich experience that combined lectures from representatives of the Brady Campaign and the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), a worship with the message brought by our Apostle, Shandra Newcom, an Interfaith Unity Walk, a devotion at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and more.

A highlight for many came on the final day when participants in the colloquy met with staff members from the House and Senate to ask for various forms of action to end gun violence. The California delegation met with Carson Cameron of Rep. Kevin Kiley’s office (R-CA03). Our California delegation was so large we had to meet with the Congressman’s representative in the hallway of the Longworth House Office Building. Knowing that the congressman had a 100% rating from the NRA, requests for an assault weapon ban or other gun regulations would have been futile.

Our delegation instead focused on a request for funding of “violence interrupter” programs. I explained that a study by John Hopkins University has found that Community Violence Intervention Programs, such as the Maryland Safe Streets initiative can reduce violent gun crimes and other violent crimes by more than 30%. The Friends Committee on National Legislation recommended asking for at least $70 million in funding for this program. These programs focus on increased mental health program utilization among target populations at risk for carrying out acts of violence. In addition, they fund nonviolence events; bring the criminal justice community into relationship at schools and other at-risk locations; help at-risk individuals with IDs and documents; and provide social services referrals.

Our request was an attempt to find common ground with a member of congress to help end gun violence in what has been described by some as a time of disunity and hyper-partisanship. Follow-up is being managed by Sierra Pacific Mission Center President Ruth Seagraves who is a voter in Rep. Kevin Kiley’s district.

Glenn Johnson
Peace and Justice Minister
Pacific Southwest International Mission Center