California Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Applaud Governor Newsom for Including Over $200 Million in CALVIP Funding in the May Revise Budget Proposal

The California chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement applauding Governor Newsom for including over $200 million for California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program (CalVIP) funding in the 2021-2022 May revise budget proposal, in the form of a baseline funding of $9 million plus an additional $200 million infusion over the course of the next three years. Last year, Governor Newsom allocated $9 million for CalVIP funding. 

“Local intervention groups are proven to significantly prevent gun violence in their communities, but they need funding to do it,” said Krystal LoPilato, a volunteer with the California chapter of Moms Demand Action. “For the past year, violence intervention programs have been on the frontlines of our nation’s coronavirus and gun violence crises. This investment not only will save lives, but allows these critical programs to continue their life-saving violence reduction initiatives during this period of crisis.” 

Recently, volunteers organized a “Road Trip for CalVIP.” The roadtrip stopped in over 25 cities across California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Oakland, to raise awareness about CalVIP. On April 27, 18 mayors, all a part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, released an open letter calling on Governor Newsom to increase funding for CalVIP. 

Statistics about gun violence in California are available here. If you have any questions, or would like to speak with California Moms Demand Action and/or Students Demand Action, please don’t hesitate to reach out.