Several prominent “violence prevention” advocates who promoted alternative approaches to crime reduction in major liberal cities have been charged with serious violent crimes in 2025, according to court documents and media reports.
At least five individuals involved in community outreach or anti-violence initiatives in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Flint, Michigan, Chicago, and Rochester, New York, are now facing criminal charges ranging from assault to murder.
Each had prior encounters with law enforcement before their latest arrests.
In Chicago, Kellen McMiller was arrested in September after a deadly burglary incident just days after appearing with Democratic Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker at a Peacekeepers event celebrating anti-violence work, CWB Chicago reported.
Authorities allege that McMiller, who was wanted in four states, robbed a Louis Vuitton store on September 11 and crashed a car while fleeing, killing another driver.
McMiller and six alleged accomplices have been charged with murder and theft.
His court date was delayed while he remained hospitalized, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
