Episode 193: Supporting Gun Violence Survivors

Episode 193: Supporting Gun Violence Survivors

Survivors Lead Founder, Rachael Joseph joins Brady’s Red, Blue & Brady Podcast:

We lose over 40,000 Americans every year to gun violence, and their loss is felt by thousands more. Millions more are injured, or living, with gun violence injuries. Folks who have been thus inducted into this terrible US club of gun violence survivorship have taken up the mantle of fighting for gun violence prevention, hoping to protect others from experiencing the pain they live with. No survivor knows this more than Rachael Joseph, who came to gun violence prevention work after the horrific murder of her beloved aunt, Shelley. In 2018 she founded Survivors Lead, an organization devoted to putting survivors – and trauma informed care – at the front of the gun violence movement. She joined hosts Kelly and JJ to share Shelley’s life, what life is like for survivors in the movement, and what we all can do to build a more equitable movement (and, of course, end gun violence).

Survivors Lead Statement on the Shooting Death of Amir Locke

Survivors Lead Statement on the Shooting Death of Amir Locke

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/4/2022

Survivors Lead statement on the Preventable Murder of Amir Locke:

We are deeply saddened and outraged by the shooting death of Amir Locke in Minneapolis. As a Minneapolis-based organization led 100% by gun violence survivors, we expect better from Minneapolis leaders–Jacob Frey in particular, as he is in singular control of the Minneapolis Police Department.

The video we viewed showed MPD entering the apartment on a no-knock warrant. Amir Locke appeared to be sleeping on the couch when police, who did not announce themselves until already inside the apartment unit, roused Amir by kicking the back of the sofa he slept on and firing multiple shots. Those of us who’ve survived combat, community gun violence, domestic violence and more know that a bullet travels faster than the speed of sound. By the time you hear the shot, it’s too late. It is from personal experience that we know no lawful gun owner could react in any other way when faced with yelling and a confusing multitude of commands from multiple police officers, who stood pointing their flashlights and firearms at Locke as he woke.

Mayor Frey urged transparency while releasing a photo of Locke’s firearm before the public had even learned his name. This was a blatant attempt to stoke fear and racism in order to mislead the public. Amir Locke, the victim of this preventable shooting, was a 22-year-old, young Black man, who did not deserve to be murdered in his sleep. If Mayor Frey had merely kept his promise banning no-knock warrants in Minneapolis, Amir Locke would still be alive today. Mr. Locke was not a suspect in the crime for which the warrant was issued, nor was he named in the search warrant.

Survivors Lead stands strongly with all victims and survivors of gun violence. We demand more from our community leaders than days of silence followed by our Mayor storming out of a press conference. We expect a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation of Mr. Locke’s murder. Mayor Frey’s behavior does not represent that of a public safety leader.

Frey was recently entrusted with oversight of the entire Minneapolis Police Department and that trust has been violated. Survivors of violence in the Black community have waited long enough for the serious work of improving public safety to begin. This is work we do not trust Jacob Frey to partner in. We are calling for the immediate resignation of Mayor Jacob Frey due to:

  1. Allowing MPD to execute a no-knock warrant for another police jurisdiction.

  2. Violating Amir Locke’s Second Amendment rights.

  3. Violating Amir Locke’s right to life and liberty.

  4. Complete silence from city leadership following the preventable shooting of Mr. Locke, despite the Mayor stating “we’re committed to transparency and answering uncomfortable questions.”

  5. Releasing a photo of Mr. Locke’s firearm in an attempt to brand him as a “bad guy.”

  6. Storming out of a press conference rather than being present and accountable.

  7. Releasing the victim’s name to campaign supporters before the general public.

  8. Violating the public trust.

We call for Jacob Frey’s immediate resignation with the hope that other individuals, community members, and organizations will join us in doing so.

Signed,

Survivors Lead Action Fund

Fabian Bean for MN House District 63A

Sister Beatrice Hernandez

The Survivors of the Show Up Collective

Matthew Beversdorf, Educator

Lauren Sevigny

Camille Dauplaise

Marie Schutte

Kristin Crabtree

Kate Ranta, Author and domestic/gun violence survivor

Leah Auckenthaler

Leslie Delzell

Angie Beauchamp

Andrea Tritschler

Shannon Bay Gregory

Kalan Knudson Davis

Heidi Stiles

ABOUT SURVIVORS LEAD:

Survivors Lead is the nation’s first gun reform and direct service organization led 100% by survivors. Survivors Lead provides unique peer support and advocacy for survivors of gun violence. We take a municipality-based approach to curbing gun violence, focused on survivor-led efforts to end gun violence in our cities. We work with families and assist them in advocating for their murdered loved one in unsolved/active cases, provide survivor peer support throughout the trial process and beyond.


For more information, visit www.survivorslead.com.

Contact: Rachael Joseph, Founder, gun violence survivor

E-mail: info@survivorslead.com

Website: www.survivorslead.com


Gun Stores Are Deemed ‘Essential’ In Many States—This Is Terrifying

Gun Stores Are Deemed ‘Essential’ In Many States—This Is Terrifying

Shelter-in-place orders and widespread business closures are likely to go on for an extended period. This means that many risk factors for violence within families such as unemployment, financial stressors, and reduced community resources will have a devastating impact on families experiencing violence in their homes. This risk will extend outside of the home as well — 20% of victims in domestic violence-related homicides are not the intimate partner but rather a neighbor, family member, friend, bystander, or first responder.

Survivors Lead calls for RESIGNATION of MN Representative Cal Bahr

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, February 27th, 2019

MEDIA ADVISORY: Survivors Lead calls for the resignation of Representative Cal Bahr following his statement at the MN Gun Owners Caucus rally Saturday, February 23rd, 2019


Survivors Lead was horrified to watch the recent MN Gun Owners Caucus rally at the Minnesota State Capitol where Representative Cal Bahr made the following statement:


“There are a lot of us in this room who’ve had enough, and it is time to start riding herd on these people who want to take your rights away from you. They will not go quietly into the good night. They need to be kicked to the curb and stomped on and run over a few times.”


Gun extremists tend to focus attacks on survivors and women activists. That’s because gun culture and misogyny are interwoven--American women are 16 times more likely to be shot and killed than women in other high-wealth nations. The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the woman’s chance of being shot and killed by 500%.

If we want to take gun violence more seriously, we must begin to have conversations about our nation’s attitudes on misogyny and family violence. The Minnesota House has the opportunity to take an important step by closing the private sale/gun show loophole and by also ensuring that folks experiencing violence can keep guns away from their abusers.


Statement from Survivors Lead Executive Director and gun violence survivor, Rachael Joseph: “I have been fighting for stronger gun laws since 2003 when my aunt Shelley Joseph-Kordell was murdered in the courthouse shooting at the Hennepin County Government Center. The shooter went to a gun show and purchased a gun for $60 though a private sale with no background check required by Minnesota law. I have testified multiple times in committee and heard opposition testimony in a peaceful and professional environment. Cal Bahr is a public servant in the People’s House--inciting violence against survivors and gun reform activists is absolutely unacceptable and there is no excuse for it. Representative Bahr did issue an apology however, Minnesotans can not allow angry men to call for violence without consequence. Therefore, we call for the immediate resignation of Representative Bahr from the Minnesota legislature. We also expect an apology from the MN Gun Owners Caucus for enabling this violent rhetoric.”


ABOUT SURVIVORS LEAD:
Survivors Lead works with victims and survivor families to assist them in advocating for their murdered loved one in unsolved cases. We provide survivor peer advocacy throughout the trial process and beyond. We’re developing retreat programming between survivors of police violence and law enforcement cadets to combat the dehumanization necessary to take a life. We also offer leadership trainings to assist survivors of violence in running for public office.
For more information, visit www.survivorslead.com or text SURVIVORSLEAD to 444-999.



Survivors Lead statement on Background Checks and ERPOs/GVPOs

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, February 25, 2019

MEDIA ADVISORY: Survivors Lead statement regarding Minnesota House Public Safety Committee Hearing on Background Checks (HF8) and Gun Violence Protective Orders (HF 9)


Survivors Lead is thrilled to see a committee hearing on HF 8 and HF 9. These are modest proposals that will significantly reduce the number of people killed with guns in our state each year. If we want to look more deeply at the issue of gun violence, we must also begin to have conversations about public health, community and intergenerational trauma, scarcity in our communities, and our nation’s attitudes on misogyny and family violence. Survivors are weary from repeated shootings--the Minnesota House has the opportunity to take an important step by closing the private sale/gun show loophole and by also ensuring that folks experiencing violence can keep guns away from their abusers.


Statement from domestic and gun violence survivor, member of Survivors Lead Board of Directors, Kate Ranta:

“We need Gun Violence Protective Order legislation in place to keep folks who pose a risk to themselves or others from easily buying guns. I survived being shot twice by my estranged ex-husband. He also shot my father in front of my four-year-old son. I know all too well the danger when a gun is present in a domestic violence situation.”


Statement from Survivors Lead executive director and gun violence survivor Rachael Joseph: “I know the importance of both of these laws firsthand. In 2003, my aunt Shelley Joseph-Kordell was murdered in the courthouse shooting at the Hennepin County Government Center. The shooter was a distant family member who’d been threatening and harassing Shelley for months. Perhaps if we’d had a GVPO law, Shelley would’ve utilized it--she was in fear for her life. Instead, the shooter went to a gun show and purchased a gun for $60 though a private sale with no background check required by Minnesota law. We must demand more from our lawmakers, whose inaction results in daily gun violence in our communities. Survivors Lead will intensify our commitment to stop gun violence and the prevalence of guns in our country. Survivors must lead so our numbers stop growing.”


ABOUT SURVIVORS LEAD:
Survivors Lead works with victims and survivor families to assist them in advocating for their murdered loved one in unsolved cases. We provide survivor peer advocacy throughout the trial process and beyond. We’re developing retreat programming between survivors of police violence and law enforcement cadets to combat the dehumanization necessary to take a life. We also offer leadership trainings to assist survivors of violence in running for public office.

For more information, visit www.survivorslead.com or text SURVIVORSLEAD to 444-999.



Gun Reform: It Isn't Enough

Gun Reform: It Isn't Enough

“Background checks and gun violence protective orders will not be enough. We live in a gun-loving country. There are over 300 million guns in the United States, that’s more than one gun for every man, woman, and child. Extremists often stoke fear about registration and confiscation but, think about it…what would that actually look like? Guns manufactured prior to the late 60s weren’t required to have serial numbers and many have the same serial number as other guns. Federal law prohibits the registration of firearms so, there’s no way to know if your neighbor has 3 guns or 300.”

MEDIA ADVISORY: Survivors Lead Responds to Police Shooting of Thurman Blevins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    June 24, 2018    

    MEDIA ADVISORY Survivors Lead Statement on Officer-Involved Shooting of Thurman Blevins, 30, in north Minneapolis

Survivors Lead is deeply saddened and outraged by the shooting of Thurman Blevins, 30.

Information is being released by authorities, but not all details are known. We do know that just before 5:30pm, at least two individuals called police to report shots being fired near the 4700 block of Bryant Avenue N. Accounts of what happened next vary but, Blevins’ family stated that officers shot Blevins multiple times. Minneapolis Police Chief Arradando stated that the investigation has been turned over to the BCA.

Survivors Lead stands strongly with survivors of police gun violence. We are weary from repeated meetings at City Hall--we want the police to stop killing people. We call upon the City of Minneapolis to:

  • Provide trauma-informed resources for the Blevins family and community members

  • Maintain transparency as the BCA investigates through open community meetings

  • Review police body camera footage immediately

  • Be accountable and raise the bar for “use of force,” particularly deadly force. Feeling afraid is not justification for taking a human life

  • Implement our SURVIVORS LEAD retreat programming to promote healing between survivors of police violence and law enforcement

As survivors, we know from personal experience that this can happen anywhere, anytime. We must demand more from our lawmakers, whose inaction results in daily gun violence in our communities. We must confront and dismantle our country’s culture of white supremacy everywhere it exists, particularly when it is perpetuated by systems designed to oppress historically marginalized communities. Survivors Lead will intensify our commitment to stop the killing and the prevalence of guns in our country.

 

ABOUT SURVIVORS LEAD:

Survivors Lead takes a municipality-based approach to curbing gun violence, focused on survivor-led efforts to end gun violence in our cities. We work with families and assist them in advocating for their murdered loved one in unsolved/active cases, provide survivor peer support throughout the trial process and beyond. We work with law enforcement to address police violence and mass incarceration in communities of color, and offer political trainings to assist survivors of violence in running for public office.

 

For more information, visit www.survivorslead.com or text SURVIVORSLEAD to 444-999.

 

Contact: Rachael Joseph, Executive Director, gun violence survivor

E-mail: info@survivorslead.com  Website: www.survivorslead.com

MEDIA ADVISORY: Survivors Lead Statement on Sante Fe School Shooting

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    May 18, 2018    

   

Contact: Rachael Joseph, Executive Director, gun violence survivor

E-mail: info@survivorslead.com  Website: www.survivorslead.com

 

MEDIA ADVISORY Survivors Lead Statement on Shooting at Santa Fe Texas High School

 

Survivors Lead is deeply saddened and outraged by the shooting today at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas.

Information is being released by authorities but not all details are known. Multiple deaths are being reported by media.  A suspect in the shooting has been arrested.

 

Statement from Rachael Joseph, Executive Director of Survivors Lead and gun violence survivor, “Our hearts break every time another family is personally impacted by gun violence. As survivors, we know from personal experience that this can happen anywhere, anytime. Do not think your family is immune. We must demand more from our lawmakers, whose inaction results in mass shootings and daily gun violence in our communities. Today, Survivors Lead puts lawmakers beholden to the NRA on notice, we are coming for your seats. We will intensify our commitment to stop the killing. Join us.”

 

Gun violence is a public health crisis in the United States. Survivors Lead takes a municipality-based approach to curbing gun violence, focused on survivor-led efforts to end gun violence in our cities. We work with families and assist them in advocating for their murdered loved one in unsolved/active cases, provide survivor peer support throughout the trial process and beyond.

We work with law enforcement to address police violence and mass incarceration in communities of color, and offer political trainings to assist survivors of violence in running for public office.


For more information, visit www.survivorslead.com or text SURVIVORSLEAD to 444-999.