Dear Coalition Members:

While many of us were celebrating during the 4th of July, at least 18 people's lives were taken from multiple mass shootings that occurred simultaneously across the country.

FORT WORTH, TX: We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic mass shooting that has taken place in our CSC Chapter City of Fort Worth. Gunfire erupted just before midnight Monday in the Como Neighborhood leaving at least three dead and eight others wounded. 

As sure as fireworks go up for every 4th of July, unfortunately so does gunfire in our communities. 

Rev. Tatum, leader of our Fort Worth Chapter, held a news conference covering the shooting which you can view below:

"This is a spiritual issue that the Black community has to address," New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church and CSC Chapter Leader Rev. Kyev Tatum remarked.

"These are not somebody else's babies. These are our babies."

PHILADELPHIA, PA: A mass shooting plagued the streets of Philadelphia on Monday night. Those deceased were between the ages of 15 and 59 years old. 2-year-old twin boys were shot in the leg while in the car with their mother.

BALTIMORE, MD: Investigators are currently searching for suspects in block party mass shooting that killed 2 and injured 28 others on Sunday July 2nd. Five of those injured were adults, aged 20 or older, and the remaining 23 were teenagers, ranging in age from 13 to 19, according to police.

SHREVEPORT, LA: 11 shot, 4 fatally, at an annual block party in Shreveport, late Tuesday when multiple armed people began shooting at an annual Fourth of July block party, police said.

CHICAGO, IL: 1 killed, 5 shot at Chicago Independence Day gathering. Ten people are dead and at least 56 others have been wounded in shootings across the city of Chicago during the Fourth of July weekend, police say.

In times like these, it is important for clergy members to provide spiritual guidance, comfort, and a safe space for all those seeking solace, particularly those wounded in this incident and the families of the deceased.

CSC is here to support all faith leaders responding to these traumatic shootings in their cities. Reply to this email or give us a call at 646-779-6767 to talk with us about having Clergy for Safe Cities host a summit in your city.

It takes a collective force to end the “gundemic” plaguing our society. Stay on the lookout for our next virtual summit which will be taking place early August.