McClinton introduces legislation to help end culture of killing as Philly reaches grim milestone
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton October 6, 2020 | 3:56 PM
With Philadelphia surpassing the number of homicides it saw in all of 2019, state Rep. Joanna McClinton is stressing the need to end this culture of killing by teaching young people how to settle disputes civilly instead of resorting to violence.
"During a time this country needs unity, it is absolutely awful to see so much hate being spewed across a city that I'm proud to call home," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "My heart aches for the children, parents and loved ones who have been lost this year because of these senseless acts of gun violence. I am a firm believer that instilling real change starts with our young people."
McClinton introduced legislation (H.B. 2895) that would require public schools to provide age appropriate instruction on conflict resolution and how to resolve differences peacefully to all students, with the overall goal of reducing violence.
"Introducing these core values at a young age will help get our children on the right path from the beginning and give them a better chance to finish school, enter the workforce and lead a successful and safe life," McClinton explained. "Gun violence is an epidemic, and we need all hands on deck in order to protect our neighborhoods from any more tragedy."
McClinton said the Education Department would compose a list of evidence-based model programs schools could use to provide the instruction to students.
Philadelphia has recorded at least 364 homicides in 2020.