INDIANAPOLIS — The African American Coalition of Indianapolis released a statement following the increase in fatal shootings of young people in Indianapolis this year.
“Our children should not be murdered in this city. Our children should not murder each other,” the coalition said.
In the call-to-action, the coalition asks “Are we doing enough?” That includes parents, mentors, schools, churches and the community. It also calls on the mayor and police chief to give additional focus on the issue.
So far this year, the city has lost at least 22 people under the age of 18. Three teens were killed over the last week.
“It’s disturbing. We are failing to protect our children which means we are failing to secure our future,” said Marshawn Wolley with ACCI. “Unfortunately, right now, it seems like it is easier to get a gun than a computer or a book. So, we have to figure out how to address that issue.”
Wolley is a father of an 11-year-old boy and the policy director for the African American Coalition of Indianapolis. He helped write a call to action to address the uptick in the number of teens killed.
Despite a decline in overall homicides, the death of kids under 18 is on the rise.
“We hear about what’s happening in schools. We hear about discipline issues, and we are also monitoring the news. So, the city has changed. It’s different and we have to get back to where we were as a community.”
It’s why, over the next few months, the coalition plans to meet with neighborhoods and policymakers to tackle the problem and brainstorm solutions.
The coalition’s specific call to action includes the following:
- The AACI will look internally to evaluate how our member organizations can better engage on this issue. We will assess how our members can increase the number of African American and others who will serve as mentors, coaches, and tutors.
- AACI’s policy agenda will include a focus on gun violence including ideas to eliminate their negative impact in our community. We join efforts such as the Marion County Youth Violence Prevention Coalition and others calling for responsible gun policies. We will also adapt our advocacy efforts regarding mental health with an increased focus on the mental health of our youth.
- We call for youth-serving organizations, faith-based organizations, apartment property managers, and the city to continue conversations about how to address the issue of violence with a special focus on specific actions to improve the city’s community youth violence strategy. Young people, especially those in the highest risk populations for violence must be included in those conversations.
- We call on the philanthropic and business community to further provide resources for those most directly engaged in direct work with youth, young adults and families who’ve experienced violence. Support for volunteerism, tutoring, mentoring, access to food and clothing and other interventions we know may have some impact on both poverty and violence alleviation need expanded support. As a partner in the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative (IAAQLI) we will encourage additional strategies that address these concerns.