Editor’s Note: Oakland Voices received this statement from Change Consulting, on behalf of Urban Peace Movement.
Urban Peace Movement is disheartened by the violence that took place during the Juneteenth gathering in our beloved Oakland. Juneteenth is a day for liberation, celebration and community.
We will be holding space for the trauma resulting from the shooting at Lake Merritt has not just on the people directly harmed, but also our wider community members who are impacted.
We all deserve to feel safe – whether at work, at school, at home – or at a Juneteenth gathering.
We know that the safest communities are also the most resourced communities. Violence is the result of decades of disinvestment in our communities.
Our decades of experience in advocating for community safety have shown us that the best way to keep our neighborhoods safe is to invest in our people. We need to double down on our investments in things that are proven to actually work including violence prevention programs, restorative justice programs, art and recreation, well-funded schools, and access to stable housing and jobs. These are all things that the most resourced communities have, and our communities in Oakland deserve these things too. We ask everyone who calls Oakland home to join us in calling for more investment in solutions that truly keep us safe, and we will continue to work with all sectors of our community for a safe and healthy Oakland.
Oakland is a beautiful city that hosts many peaceful events and gatherings year round.
Urban Peace Movement recently held a free music festival at Lake Merritt, less than one month ago, where over 4,000 people of all ages, including young people, came out as a community to celebrate their love for Oakland. We hope to continue to host and participate in community events that bring our community together.
If you or someone you know was impacted by the incident at Lake Merritt on June 19th and would like to participate in healing circles, contact Urban Peace Movement or send them a message on Instagram (@urbanpeace510).
Editor’s Note: Oakland Voices received this statement from Change Consulting, on behalf of Urban Peace Movement.
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