Welcome
THE NATIONAL URBAN (GANG) PEACE,
JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT
September 11-14, 2008
FORTY ACRES & A MULE ACTIVITY CAMPUS
(Conveniently located just 20 minutes
from downtown Kansas City)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Accommodations available at the Holiday Inn At The Plaza
Registration Deadline: 8/21/08
Fee: Under 21-$25, Adults-$50
AN INTERNATIONAL CALL TO ACTION!
ABOUT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR URBAN (GANG) PEACE, JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT
A 15 year old collective of over 35 grassroots and community based organizations throughout the United States that implemented programming models that have changed lives, with documented outcomes in response to the epidemic of crack cocaine gang violence, readily available fire arms, and other issues threatening the stability of the inner city neighborhoods. These organizations are led by people who have undergone a transformative process and led successful and productive lives, practicing the principle of Sankofa – reaching back to bring another forward. The work of the National Council lowered the gang related homicide rates and incidences of gang related violence by as much as 25% in participating cities(FBI Crime Statistics). However, because the promised peace dividends have not materialized, peace has not been sustained. Currently, there is no effective urban policy to address these issues. The Veterans of the National Council are reconvening the national body to help another generation of young people, to tell the stories of leaders who have transformed their lives and built organizations that model their successful transformative process, and to draft an urban policy that will not only address the issues facing violence ridden communities, but will also offer ways to sustain peace once it has been achieved.
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
Our House is on Fire! Violence is once again raging in our cities! Our youth are dying! Join with the veterans of the National Urban (Gang) Peace, Justice and Empowerment Movement who organized and secured cease fires, truce and peace treaties in several major cities throughout the United States which reduced homicides, gang violence and juvenile crime by 25%.
Objectives:
- To give a historical context, with factual evidence, of the movements of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, the stories of the original players, the challenges and barriers they faced, the obstacles they had to overcome, the strategies they used, and why this information is important for communities of color and youth to understand and internalize today
- To talk about the criminalization of communities of color
- To talk about national best practices and how to implement them
- To plan next steps for sustainability
- To develop a national agenda and a proposed urban policy for communities of color
Join us in creating a historical document of work that has been done throughout the United States to address issues of communities of color! Join us in developing a national urban policy to be presented to key decision making bodies/politicians! Join us in unity to be part of the solution!
