US streets have become ‘war zones’: Peace activist

The “militaristic” policies of the United States government, as well as rising inequality, racism and widespread access to weapons, has turned American streets into “war zones” for many years, a peace activist says.

“The problem with the war on the streets of the United States has been going on for a very, very long time,” said Tighe Barry, a member of CODEPINK, a social justice movement working to end US-funded wars and occupations.

“It has its roots originally in the racist policies of the US government, the policy of the rich dominating the poor and also the fact that our government has been a militaristic government for a very, very long time,” Barry added.

“The streets of the United States are basically a war zone right now, people take their lives in their own hands whenever they go out the door,” he added.

“There are more murders that take place here in the United States each day and each year than we lose in wars that we perpetuate around the world.”

Barry made the remarks after a new report showed that the number of school shootings in the US continue to grow following a rampage at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, which left 26 children and staff members dead.

Since the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, 44 more shootings have occurred at US schools and universities, one every 10 days, killing 28 people, said a report released on Wednesday by Moms Demand Actions and Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

According to the report, 75 percent of the shooters brought guns to schools from home. These guns included semi-automatic handguns and shotguns that were not properly locked or stored at home.