Envisioning a Safer Community During Latinx Heritage Month

Latinx Heritage Month is marked in the U.S. from September 15 through October 15 every year. It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and history of the Latinx community. It starts on September 15 because this date commemorates the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including:

• Costa Rica,
• El Salvador,
• Guatemala,
• Honduras, and
• Nicaragua.

For Everytown, Latinx Heritage Month is also a time to recognize the specific impacts of gun violence on Latinx individuals and communities. 

Note: Although Everytown uses the term Latinx, we know that communities and individuals are not a monolith. Depending on the source, or person, other terms, including Latino, Latina, Latine, or Hispanic are used.

In California, these impacts are incredibly relevant. More than 40 percent of Californians are Latino. Additionally, more than half of young Californians identify as Latino. Gun violence is a major safety concern for Latinx families and communities across the state. 

Latinx children and teens are three times more likely to be killed by gun homicide than their white peers. Latinx youth are also more likely than their white peers to be exposed to violence in cities. These youth need greater support to avoid becoming future victims and/or perpetrators of gun violence. However, accessible mental health care and support systems are often lacking. The rate of young Latinx people who access these services is low due to stigma, language barriers, and concerns about legal status. Increased access to and education around mental health support are greatly needed to both heal from the trauma of gun violence and to prevent further violence.

For Latinx communities in California, gun violence is a source of fear, uncertainty, and frustration. Yet, there is also hope. Community dialogue and education can help reduce stigma and aid in violence prevention work.

On October 5, 2024, the California Chapter of Moms Demand Action marked Latinx Heritage Month with an in-person event to help fill this gap. It helped connect people who are disproportionately impacted by gun violence with support and education.

“Envisioning a Safer Community” celebrated the beauty of Latinx culture while having important conversations about gun violence prevention. Roxy Arana and Cindy Montoya, two volunteer leaders in the Moms Demand Action California Chapter, helped set the event in motion. As artists, educators, and mothers, they had a strong vision that was years in the making.

Roxy had been hosting virtual Mi Gente meetings for nearly two years for volunteers who identify as Hispanic or Latinx. She wanted to find a way to take the work off a screen and into real life.

Roxy, Cindy, and a team of more than 25 state and local volunteers supported “Envisioning a Safer Community.” The October 5th event was a labor of love and great intention.

Approximately 250 people attended the event, held at Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center for the Arts & Education. The venue was chosen with care. Plaza de la Raza is the only multidisciplinary community arts venue dedicated to serving the Eastside neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Plaza de la Raza was founded in 1970, and over the years, it has become a valuable bridge between the Latinx community and the larger Los Angeles cultural landscape.

“Envisioning a Safer Community” brought community members, organizers, and artists together. Local Latinx musicians CAVA, Bravo Mariachi Ensemble, and Heidi Rojas gave live performances. Event programming featured speakers, including lawmakers and representatives from community organizations.

The event also featured a resource fair with over a dozen Latinx-led organizations. They shared resources on topics like mental health and community violence intervention. These organizations included:

• AltaMed
• Bienestar Human Services
• Children’s Burn Foundation
• CHIRP/LA
• East Los Angeles Women’s Center
• LA Care Community Resource Center
• LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs
• Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Office of Violence Prevention
• Southern California Crossroads
• Urban Peace Institute

“Envisioning a Safer Community” was fully Latinx-led and survivor-led. Survivors organized a Día de los Muertos ofrenda¹Note: Día de los Muertos is traditionally marked in early November. Event organizers included the ofrenda at this October event to provide a culturally familiar and significant way to collectively honor those taken by gun violence. where attendees could honor the lives of loved ones taken by gun violence.

“Envisioning a Safer Community” offered opportunities for connection and action. Participants received materials to help continue the learning and discussions at their homes. Several students asked about starting Students Demand Action groups at their local schools. Other community members learned about steps to take in their professional work to prevent gun violence. 

Two of these people were therapists who were particularly concerned about school violence and the toll of trauma on students. Moms Demand Action volunteers shared statistics and solutions with them about young people and school shootings as well as the full picture of gun violence. These therapists wanted to be part of the solution to gun violence. “Envisioning a Safer Community” gave them a chance to start partnering in that work.

Partners and attendees alike shared that the event was valuable for them. They shared that conversations about gun violence prevention can be emotionally challenging. For many Latinx individuals, language barriers can make the topic even more daunting. At the California event, there was a diverse mix of English speakers, Spanish speakers, and bilingual participants, which made discussions on gun violence prevention more accessible to everyone.

“Envisioning a Safer Community” was a one-day event for Latinx community members in Los Angeles. However, the work for a future safe from gun violence continues every day. Everytown partners with individuals, communities, and organizations to advance this work.