Project Cease Fire: "Walking the Earth Like Brothers" gets 223 guns off the streets

February 7, 2005 -- Project Cease Fire, a "gun buyback" effort, resulted in 223 fewer guns in Minneapolis homes, streets, and neighborhoods. A significant amount of ammunition was also received. Organized by the African American Men Project, Project Cease Fire involved participation by 30 community organizations, as well as the Minneapolis Police Department. The Minneapolis Foundation funded the effort. Project Cease Fire FAQs (PDF) Statistics on Gun Violence (PDF) Project Cease Fire Sponsors

Shane Price (center) of the African American Men Project organized Project Cease Fire, leading a collaboration of 30 community organizations and the Minneapolis Police Department. Lieutenant Lee Edwards (left) and Lieutenant Greg Reinhardt (right) reported that the 223 guns collected by Project Cease Fire in two days equaled a quarter of what the police department typically collects in a year.

About the Project Cease Fire and its results

Individuals who turned in weapons received $50 for each revolver and $75 for every semi-automatic pistol or handgun (with a limit of two guns per person). Two collections took place on February 4-5, one on the north side of Minneapolis and one on the south. The drop off process was anonymous and no one was questioned about their guns. A handful of minors turned in weapons. The oldest participant was 86 years of age.

One participant told organizers "For a variety of personal mental health reasons, I'm glad to get rid of my gun." Another one noted that "I recently had a child, so I wanted to get rid of my gun for child safety." The Children's Defense Fund reports that a child is killed by gunfire in Minnesota almost every week.

In 2002, firearm homicide was the number one cause of death for African Americans between 15 and 34 years old. Trying to stop these killings motivated the Urban Youth Conservation (UYC), a gang diversion program, to participate in Project Cease Fire. UYC co-founder Ferome Brown, spent hours passing out Project Cease Fire flyers to young men at clubs, parties, and just standing on street corners in Minneapolis.

While preventing street violence was the impetus for the gun collection effort, the results may also prevent deaths from accidents, domestic violence, suicide, and other situations in which access to a firearm can turn a tense situation lethal.

Minneapolis Assistant Police Chief Tim Dolan reported that "223 guns might not seem like a lot, but it represents 25% of what we would take off the street in a year. That's very notable."

Project Cease Fire was intended to coincide with the recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, as well as Black History month. "The event's subtitle "Walking the Earth Like Brothers," was excerpted from the following quote by Dr. King:

"We have flown the air like birds and swum the seas like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers."

For more information contact:

Shane Price
African American Men Project
(612) 388-0473
shane.price@co.hennepin.mn.us

The Minneapolis Foundation
(612) 672-3878
e-mail@mplsfoundation.org

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Project Cease Fire Sponsors

• African American Men Project - organizer
• The Minneapolis Foundation - underwriter
• Citizens for a Safer Minnesota
• Coalition of Black Churches/African American Leadership Summit
• Family and Children's Service
• Franklin Bank
• Girls in Action
• Grassroots Public Policy Institute
• Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
• Go Latino, Inc.
• Holding Forth the Word of Life Ministries
• Hennepin County Public Defender
• Initiative for Violence Free Families
• Insight News
• KMOJ Radio
• MAD DADS
• Minneapolis City Attorney's Office
• Minneapolis Police Chaplain Corps
• Minneapolis Police Department
• Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
• NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center
• Northside Safety Coordinator
• NorthWay Community Trust
• Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
• The City, Inc.
• Turning Point
• Stairstep Foundation
• Uhuru Solutions
• Urban Ventures
• Urban Youth Conservation