Happy September! As we step into a new month, we wanted to share a piece of news that gives us immense hope and proves that the vision we’ve been fighting for is working.
For the second year in a row, Baltimore has ranked No. 2 in the nation on the Violence Prevention Index (VPI) for its violence prevention strategy!
The VPI, published by the Community Justice Action Fund, evaluates 100 U.S. cities across 35 criteria. It looks closely at how local leaders invest in public health-based strategies, root-cause solutions, and community-led intervention.
This represents real lives saved:
- In 2025, Baltimore saw a 31% decrease in homicides and a 24% decline in nonfatal shootings.
- That momentum has continued into 2026, with homicides dropping an additional 22.9% as of mid-August.
For years, young organizers with March For Our Lives have demanded a shift away from outdated approaches and toward holistic, community-first solutions. Baltimore’s results show us what is possible when cities invest directly in trauma support, focused deterrence, and local intervention programs.
We know that any single life lost to gun violence is one too many. But these numbers prove that when we shift our culture and fund real prevention strategies, we can keep each other safe.
If you are able, will you pitch in today to help us make this a reality all across the country?
Thank you for standing with us and for fighting for a future free from gun violence.
— Team MFOL
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Email us: info@marchforourlives.com