Midwest U.S.

Taylor interviews a group of young people at St. Sabina’s Church about how gun violence has affected them. The overwhelming prevalence of gun violence in their lives and the numerous losses they have endured are astonishing.

Pioneers for Peace is a powerful anti-gun violence organization made up of gun violence survivors who suffer permanent disabilities. They speak to young people about how gun violence has affected them, and they try to prevent teenagers from picking up guns.

Gun violence robbed Dominique Mayo of the chance to see her son graduate 8th grade. Sameere Conn, age 13, was fatally shot when he stopped at the corner store near his house to buy a snack after football practice. Gangs had solicited Sameere to join but he refused. The shooter threatened Conn beforehand, claiming he was on his “death list.”

Steve interviews Ron Johnson, Community Coordinator of the Restorative Justice Initiative, a program of Marquette University Law School. A former gang member, Ron now works to coordinate community gang prevention and intervention activities with law enforcement, prosecutors, social service agencies, faith communities, corrections officials, and the neighborhood communities.