Deaunte Damper Advocates for Holistic Safety Against Gun Violence on ‘The Pop-Up’
In a recent episode of The Pop-Up, King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention (ROGVP) Community Engagement Specialist Deaunte Damper discussed the intersection of personal identity, government action, and the urgent mission to end gun violence. The discussion, hosted by The Big O at the Black Media Matters studios, highlighted the need for community-led public safety and the emotional weight carried by those on the front lines.
A Historic Moment for Pride and Service
Damper reflected on a historic week in Seattle. Alongside his role at King County, he currently serves as the Grand Marshal for the Seattle Pride Parade and recently participated in two separate flag-raising ceremonies in a single day—at both the King County government and the City of Seattle.
For Damper, these ceremonies were deeply personal moments. He spoke of wearing a jacket woven by women living with HIV, carrying their stories and the memories of those lost to homophobia and transphobia into the halls of government.
“I have been proud and positive since 2013,” Damper said, emphasizing that his presence in these spaces represents a broader movement for queer and Black safety.
Redefining Public Safety
A significant portion of the broadcast focused on the public health approach to gun violence, a strategy championed by the ROGVP. Damper and ROGVP Director Eleuthera Lisch explained how this lens shifts the focus from purely reactive law enforcement to addressing "upstream" risk factors such as racism, poverty, and displacement.
Key highlights of Damper’s work and the office's initiatives include:
Strengthening Ecosystems: Working with municipal partners, law enforcement, and impacted families across seven geographical areas to build local safety networks.
Rapid Response and Intervention: Coordinating community responders who provide "wraparound" and restoration services within the first 30 days of an active shooting.
Direct Community Support: Facilitating "Stop the Bleed" trainings and gun lockbox giveaways to empower residents to save lives.
Successful Outcomes: Highlighting a 61% reduction in gun violence in certain areas last year and zero 911 calls at specific hotspots in Kent following community-led intervention.
The Willpower of Community
Damper acknowledged the community’s immense challenges with gun violence, including recent fatal shootings of teenagers in Federal Way and the ongoing struggle for sustainable funding. He issued a call to action for the community to move beyond hearing about the problem and become part of the solution by tapping into available resources, participating in advocacy, and sharing their stories.
Holding the Weight of the Mission
The episode concluded with a somber acknowledgment of the extra burden carried by those working in the violence prevention space. Damper affirmed that his role at King County is fueled by the survivors who demand action over performance.
Tune in to The Pop-Up! weeknights at 9 p.m. on the Converge Media YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/@ConvergeMedia.
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