Some Minneapolis violence interrupters say new contracts with the city will gut their organizations by requiring them to operate under smaller budgets, with less staff and lower pay.
Violence interruption is part the city’s push to use alternatives to police by having community groups hire “credible messengers” – some of them formerly incarcerated or former gang members – who can mediate conflicts, defuse tension and interrupt the cycle of violence and retribution. Groups of violence interrupters can be seen in the streets often wearing matching, brightly colored shirts and coats…