Securing American Families by Educating and Training You (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2017

To authorize the Attorney General to award grants to eligible entities to prevent or alleviate community violence by providing education, mentoring, and counseling services to children, adolescents, teachers, families, and community leaders on the principles and practice of nonviolence. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Securing American Families by Educating and Training You (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2017 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The concept and practice of nonviolent thoughts, words, and actions have a history and a legacy in the United States and the global community. (2) In the 19th century, American philosophers and authors Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were leaders of the transcendentalist philosophical movement which emphasized the potential good of humanity, the importance of truth, and the courage and power of peace. (3) In the early 20th century, Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi advanced the concepts and practices of ahimsa, or non-injury, and satya, or truth as integral to social and active concepts and practices. (4) Gandhi continued Thoreau’s ideas of Civil Disobedience in developing the doctrine of sat­ya­gra­ha which connects truth and nonviolence to active efforts in nonviolent, civil disobedience. (5) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., built upon these philosophies in developing six principles of nonviolence. He explained these to be a way of life which sought to build friendships and understanding, defeat injustice, accept suffering as a way to educate and transform, and to choose love instead of hate. Nonviolence’s strength is reinforced by the universe siding with justice. (6) Rev. James E. Lawson, Jr., a leading theorist and strategist, helped spread the philosophy and doctrine of nonviolence by organizing and teaching workshops to young activists during the American Civil Rights Movement. (7) During his Presidency, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela expanded the spirit of ubuntu, the African philosophy of the interconnectedness, caring, sharing, and harmony of humanity, throughout the world. (8) According to the 2017 Global Peace Index, violence cost $14,300,000,000 in 2016. The fiscal loss resulting from conflict greatly exceeds investments in peacebuilding and peacekeeping. (9) Given its proven success and evolution, the philosophy and doctrine of nonviolence can and should play an important role in breaking the cycle and reducing the frequency of violence throughout the United States and as a model to the global community. (10) These lessons, principles, and practices should be made available to Americans of all ages and backgrounds in all parts of the country. 3. Grants to educate Americans about the principles and practice of nonviolence (a) Grants The Attorney General may make grants to eligible entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of community violence by providing education, mentoring, and counseling regarding the principles and application of nonviolence in conflict resolution. (b) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Attorney General shall give priority to applicants that agree to use the grant in one or more eligible urban, rural, tribal, and suburban communities that can certify— (1) an increased or sustained level of violence or tension in the community; or (2) a lack of monetary or other resources to adopt innovative, integrated, community-based violence prevention programs. (c) Limitation The Attorney General may not make a grant to an eligible entity under this section unless the entity agrees to use not less than 70 percent of such grant for nonviolence-prevention education and program development. (d) Definitions In this section, the term eligible entity (e) Authorization of Appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $60,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2018 through 2023.

Summary: Securing American Families by Educating and Training You (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to eligible entities for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the effects of community violence by providing education, mentoring, and counseling related to principles of nonviolence in conflict resolution. "Eligible entities" include state or local government entities, educational institutions, nonprofit communities, and faith-based organizations. In awarding grants under the program, DOJ shall give priority to applicants that agree to use the grant funds in at least one community that can certify: (1) an increased or sustained level of violence or tension in the community; or (2) a lack of resources to adopt innovative, integrated, community-based violence prevention programs.