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The CDC offers a comprehensive resource guide to preventing youth violence by addressing risk factors from the individual level to societal levels.

From the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, this 2016 report outlines four strategies that cities like Oakland, New Orleans, Minneapolis, and St Louis implemented that resulted in reduced crime and recidivism rates and more diversion of at-risk youth away from the criminal justice system.

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Listen: Ali Velshi on Protecting Our Children From Real Threats

It's guns, the MSNBC anchor and Citizen Board member asserts, not the knowledge that gay and trans people exist

Listen: Ali Velshi on Protecting Our Children From Real Threats

It's guns, the MSNBC anchor and Citizen Board member asserts, not the knowledge that gay and trans people exist

Last week, Philadelphia lost another child to gun violence on its streets. Meanwhile, America lost three more children and three adults in its 17th school shooting of 2023. This year we have already seen 135 mass shootings across the country, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Meanwhile, MSNBC anchor and Citizen Board Member Ali Velshi points out in this commentary, our Republican representatives and senators at both the state and federal levels are hard at work protecting our children from knowing gay and trans people exist, books that teach them about historical instances of genocide, and of course, soy milk.

“Beware those who will try to convince you that the safety of children is their number one priority,” warns Ali Velshi. “They are banning books, they are banning lessons on race, they are banning healthcare for trans children, they are blaming video games, they’re blaming drag shows, they’re banning sex education for children, they are blaming almond milk. Excuse me, almond beverage.”

But, as he continues, “They’re banning Michelangelo’s anatomically correct statue of David all in the name of protecting the kids. But none of those things, including seeing the statue of David’s stone penis, actually puts a child’s life at risk of danger. You know what does? The military-style lethal weapons that are legally purchased by people who wish to inflict harm on other people.”

LISTEN: ALI VELSHI ON PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM REAL THREATS TO THEIR LIVES AND SAFETY

WATCH: ALI ON PROTECTING CHILDREN ON MSNBC

MORE FROM MSNBC’S ALI VELSHI

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