graphic of a pistol barrel tied in a knot with the words "Let's create a WAVE of hope together we can end gun violence"

In 2021 we continued to operate virtually and promote lifesaving public policy; engage citizens, supporters, youth, and coalition partners; and develop public awareness about gun violence in Wisconsin through many activities.

Public Policy

This year, much of our public policy and practices has focused on

Our supporters sent over 3,500 emails regarding gun violence prevention policies to their elected officials this year. In part due to the persistence of WAVE supporters, the Wisconsin legislature introduced an ERPO bill, a universal background checks bill, and a domestic violence prevention bill. Perhaps even more significantly, Governor Evers has allocated 45 million dollars of Wisconsin’s American Rescue Plan Act for violence intervention and prevention programs and victims’ assistance, and various local governments have also allocated funding to prevent gun violence.

Citizen/Supporter/Partner Engagement

WAVE members have been active participants in our work for gun violence prevention and justice. We have come together to support one another at virtual events and social media campaigns throughout the year.

Virtual Events

In February, we gathered on Zoom for a statewide WAVE Action Team meeting, and in March and April we collaborated with the Milwaukee Rep, Voices of Gun Violence, and Mothers Against Gun Violence to promote their screening of Until the Flood followed by panel discussions.

Later in the spring, Jim Santelle, a former U.S. Attorney for eastern Wisconsin, provided an educational Facebook Live on the NRA’s bankruptcy case, the New York Attorney General’s investigation, and what it all means for the gun violence prevention movement. Watch it here.

Image shows three hosts of a WAVE Virtual Event in 2021

In May, Linneman’s Riverwest Inn hosted a virtual benefit concert called Peace Through Music for WAVE. In this event, the music of John Lennon came to life with many of Milwaukee’s finest musical acts taking part to help raise awareness about sensible gun laws. Watch it here.

5 musicians are performing. From left to right is a guitarist, drummer, lead singer, bass player and another guitarist. They are wearing plaid shirts and tshirts.
One of the many performances of the Peace Through Music benefit concert.
Deja speaking at the virtual benefit concert.
Deja speaking at the virtual benefit concert.

In June, we coordinated with companies and organizations, such as the Wisconsin Center, the Milwaukee Hyatt, and the Milwaukee County Historical Society, throughout Milwaukee to light up the city in orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day! We also collaborated with 414 Life, the Milwaukee Moms Demand Action, and gun violence survivors to hold a memorial in Milwaukee.

Image shows several large buildings in Milwaukee lit up in orange lights in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day
Buildings that were orange for National Gun Violence Prevention Aawareness Day in Milwaukee
Image shows four pictures of people in orange tshirts posing for the camera at Wear Orange weekend events.
Images from the memorial in Milwaukee

We also partnered with Next Act Theater to screen a virtual play called Natural Shocks. This captivating play was about a woman trapped in her basement awaiting a tornado and included the themes of gun violence and domestic violence. We followed the screening with a panel discussion with experts in domestic violence and gun violence.

Show poster for Natural Shocks, by Lauren Gunderson

We also hosted a virtual screening of the documentary, Summer of Soul, in June. This film honors the Harlem Cultural Festival, an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture, and fashion in 1969.

In September, we joined with our partners at Community Justice Action Fund, the Alliance for Safety and Justice, and Milwaukee’s Office of Violence Prevention to host a forum on how the American Rescue Plan Act funds could be used to reduce community violence in Milwaukee. Watch it here. Our work on this issue ultimately helped lead to millions of dollars being allocated to support community-level gun violence intervention and prevention programs in Wisconsin.

Image shows a collection of people on a Zoom event speaking with WAVE supporters

In October, board members Darryl Morin and James Santelle recorded an educational Facebook live on the importance of confirming a director for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Watch it here.

Image is a screenshot from a Virtual Day of Action. Pictured from top left, clockwise: WAVE board member Darryl Morin, WAVE Executive Director Jeri Bonavia, WAVE board member James Santelle, WAVE Program Director Heidi Rose

Most recently, earlier in November, we hosted our big biennial event – the Gun Violence Prevention Day of Action. This time it was virtual! We had an enthusiastic turnout of over 100 people. Legislative offices across the state got the message that we need background checks on all gun sales, extreme risk protection orders, and the prohibition of domestic violence misdemeanants from possessing firearms. 

Social Media

Janice Gordon is the founder of Victims of Milwaukee Violence because she saw a need in her community. Later, her own grandson was shot four times and survived. She grew even more dedidcated to survivors and her orgainzation.
On August 14, 2019 Laporche Kimber lost her only son, Maurice Jr., to gun violence in Milwaukee. She and her daughter created Butterfly's Sacred Struggle to document their journey of creating a new life after loss and to help others who experienced similar tragedies by sharing resources to overcome barriers.
Colette Shumpert lost her son, Michael, in 2012. In 2019, she founded her nonprofit organization, Loved and Lost Corporation, which assists those who are suffering the loss of a loved one. Their mission is to restore the griever by first embracing, encouraging, and connecting, while provoking thoughts of hope and the possibility for living with purpose after loss.
Gloria Nichols started Robert's Way after the death of her son, Robert James, in 2015. Robert's Way provides individual and group counseling, grief share for adults and children.
Roy Washington experienced gun violence when he was in a gang, and someone shot his friend. He later gained direction and focus from service in the Army, colelge attendance, and music.
In 2018, Jasmine Moore's son's father was killed. She saw the need to educate, empower and advocate for children and families experiencing trauma, so she founded JOHAN Hopes to meet this need.

During the first week of February, our community honored gun violence survivors during National Gun Violence Survivors week. Throughout the month (and beyond), we also celebrated Black history.

Rep. Gabby Giffords, Co-Founder of Giffords
Amber Goodwin Founder and Executive Director of Community Justice Action Fund
Clai Lasher-Sommers, Executive Director of States United to Prevent Gun Violence
Sarah Brady Former Chairwoman of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Debra Gillispie, Founder of Mothers Against Gun Violence
Tatiana Washington, Executive Director of 50 Miles More
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. Image shows many different women pictured together
Kris Brown, and all the other women of Brady
Heidi Rose, Program Director of WAVE Ed Fund
Jeri Bonavia Founder and Executive Director of Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort Educational Fund

Throughout Women’s History Month (March), we celebrated women who have made a significant difference in the gun violence prevention movement.

A message from our executive director: We know that we will overcome all obstacles and succeed because history teaches us that, ultimately, hard work and truth will prevail.
graphic of a pistol barrel tied in a knot with the words "Let's create a WAVE of hope together we can end gun violence"

In August, for National Nonprofit Day, we launched our WAVE of Hope fundraising campaign. You can watch the WaveOfHope videos, including an origami peace crane tutorial, in our 2021 WAVE of Hope playlist on Facebook.

Firearms are the most common method used in suicide in the United States, accounting for over half in 2019. Temporarily removing access to a firearm from someone at risk of suicide may save their life.
Suicide by Method (2019) A pie chart shows that firearms make up roughly half the deaths. Suffocation makes up slighly more than a quarter. The remaining part is split between poisoning and "other."
63 people die by gun suicide every day in the United States

In September, in honor of Suicide Prevention Month, we worked to emphasize the importance of removing access to firearms to prevent suicide.

Nearly 1/2 of all women killed in the U.S. are murdered by a current or former intimate partner. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Nearly 1 million women have been shot or shot at by an intimate partner. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Over 1/2 of all intimate partner homicides are committed with guns. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
A woman is 5x more likely to be murdered when her abuser has access to a gun. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In October, we spread information to help disarm domestic violence for Domestic Violence Awareness month.

2021 Youth Interns

Internship

Due to COVID-19, our youth summer internship program was completely virtual again this year. WAVE’s 15 (up from 6 last year) 2021 youth summer interns, aged 14 to 21, were very busy participating in online gun violence prevention education and advocacy. This summer’s internship culminated in a two-day virtual youth intern event called “The Peace We Build and the Justice We Seek.” Check it out!

Public Awareness

WAVE is the Wisconsin media’s go-to organization when seeking a local comment on a story related to gun violence or gun violence prevention. In 2021 so far, WAVE staff, board members, and trained volunteers in key areas of the state were quoted or mentioned in dozens of media hits.

Image is a photo of an NPR headline and a piece of the article. Headline: The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse is a microcosm of the gun control debate in the U.S. Text includes Jeri Bonavia being quoted as saying, "If those firearms had not been present, maybe someone would've ended up with a black eye or scraped knee. Certainly we wouldn't have had the outcome that we did. Jeri Bonavia is the executive director of WAVE Educational Fund. The statewide grassroots organization focuses on preventing firearm deaths and injuries.
Read the article here.
photo of news headline. In the wake of Rittenhouse acquittal and Arbery killing, will more people turn to 'vigilante justice'? The Rittenhouse trial and these other cases are "feeding this idea that individual citizens need to be out there, not as part of a functioning society, but as these rogue dispensers of justice," said Jeri Bonavia, the executive director of WAVE Educational Fund, a grassroots organization in Wisconsin focusing on preventing firearm deaths and injuries.
Read the article here.
image is a photo of a news headline and quotation from the New York Times. Heading: Rittenhouse Case Highlights the Nation's Deep Division Over Gun Rights. Jeri Bonavia, who runs the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort Educational Fund, a gun control group, said the decision "was a win for the fringe" that would encourage right-wing groups to brandish their weapons at protests, leading to more bloodshed. "The vast majority of Americans will never carry a firearm in public, but there are people who will feel emboldened now," she said. It's a dangerous situation.
Read the article here.

Learn about our activities and achievements from other years here. For regular updates, you can follow us on social media, including on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.