On June 6, 2018, over 1,100 BUILD members gathered at Kingdom Life Church in West Baltimore to call on Mayor Catherine Pugh to make specific commitments toward reducing violence in Baltimore. The assembly was one of the largest, most diverse gatherings in BUILD history.
Several BUILD leaders—including student leaders from Roland Park Elementary/Middle, City Springs Elementary/Middle, and Hampstead Hill Academy—shared personal stories that highlighted the urgency of the crisis in the city.
Commitments
At the assembly, Mayor Pugh publicly committed to the following:
- Fully implementing BUILD’s policing recommendations, including an increase in foot patrols within 30 days (Download assembly handout below for details)
- Implementing the Baltimore City parish ID system
- Championing the full funding of Kirwan Commission recommendations
- Working with the Baltimore City Schools CEO to rally principals, teachers, parents, students, etc. in support of Kirwan funding
- Maintaining current levels of funding for existing community school and out-of-school programs for remainder of Mayor Pugh’s tenure
- Making the 30% local hiring and 20% affordable housing mandate (Port Covington precedent) a flagship policy of the city so that all developers coming to Baltimore are required meet these minimum standards
Mayor Pugh has agreed to meet with BUILD again in July to report privately on her progress toward these commitments. In September, we will reconvene for a follow-up assembly where Mayor Pugh will publicly report on the state of her commitments.
Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises, Baltimore City Council President Jack Young, and other city and state leaders were present at the assembly.
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Media Coverage
Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Brew
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