Rep. Kelly convenes gun safety leaders against National Guard deployment to Chicago
CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) gathered with community violence intervention (CVI) leaders and gun safety advocates to decry President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard. Following the recent decision by a federal judge to temporarily block National Guard activity in Illinois, Rep. Kelly remains vigilant against President Trump’s attacks on Chicago.
Rep. Kelly called out President Trump’s hypocrisy for sending the National Guard, allegedly due to crime levels, while rescinding $16 million in funds dedicated to Chicago CVI organizations.
“President Trump has actively made gun violence and crime worse by stealing funds from CVI organizations that have successfully reduced crime in Chicago,” said Rep. Kelly. “I have stood by and supported these community heroes for years, and I refuse to watch their progress erased by this administration. Deploying the National Guard to Chicago is a waste of taxpayer dollars – in the middle of Republicans’ government shutdown, nonetheless – and a clear abuse of power. President Trump’s unlawful attempts to intimidate and harass immigrant communities will not be tolerated.”
Watch the full press conference here
Rep. Kelly’s press conference was held on the south side of Chicago at Kids Off the Block, a community-based organization that offers safer alternatives to gang violence.
"In my service to young people and their families, I've learned that we need more 'doers' more than 'sayers.' Congresswoman Kelly has proven time and time again to be just that,” said Diane Latiker, founder of Kids Off the Block. “She has supported us in our mission to uplift our community, continued to advocate on our behalf regarding gun violence and been a partner on many issues that we care about, including the health and wellbeing of those she serves. Personally, I'm glad to know that she's there working for all of us!"
“Let's be clear, Chicago is still dealing with a Gun and Violence problem,” said Father Michael Pfleger, a pastor at St. Sabina Church. “But Donald Trump has no clue, intention, interest or desire to solve it. He cuts funding for what is working to spend millions on a band aide and political theater. He is a wannabe dictator with power and no plan.”
“The ones closest to the problem are closest to the solution. As a survivor and a mother, I believe deeply in serving the community. When we call for resources and support, those calls must be answered,” said Maria Pike, gun violence survivor and member of Moms Demand Action. “Instead of militarized responses, we need real investment in the proven solutions that save lives. What we need is the ATF and FBI focusing on gun trafficking. What we need is to fund CVI programs, youth clinical services, mental health care, and victims’ support victims’ support—and for those resources which had been funded to the tune of $811 million to be promptly disbursed. The mobilization of thousands of people from the community, churches, schools, gun violence prevention groups, and community-based programs is the main reason crime has gone down. We don’t need to be invaded—we need to be supported.”