A youth-led protest at California’s Capitol on June 30 gathers around 20 demonstrators, primarily aged 13 to 21, who demand an end to gun violence affecting their communities. Organizers highlighted systemic issues, such as poverty and lack of resources, that contribute to the violence, asserting that children deserve safe environments to focus on education instead of fearing for their lives.
Among the participants were community leaders like Berry Accius and Brenda Grisham, who spoke on the urgent need for greater investment in youth violence prevention. Accius emphasized that gun violence impacts not only the victims but also their families and the entire community, challenging local officials to prioritize funding for youth initiatives. Last month, despite public appeals, city leaders did not increase the budget for such programs, prompting concerns about the ongoing crisis.
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