Newswise — LifeBridge Health, a leading health system in Maryland, is launching “Stop the Iron
Pipeline,” an initiative that seeks to bring awareness to Marylanders around the issue of illegal
gun trafficking, encouraging them to take action and share their own stories of gun violence.
Maryland has among the nation’s highest rate of out-of-state illegal gun imports, accounting for
two-thirds of all gun crimes in the state, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun
Violence. Traffickers bring these guns in from other states along Route I-95 – a major north-
south corridor through the East Coast states known as the “Iron Pipeline.”
The Stop the Iron Pipeline movement aims to give a voice to the impact of gun violence, a
concern both LifeBridge Health patients and community members say affects their health and
well-being.
“Our health system’s mission is to care for people and our communities, and gun violence is
affecting our communities, including people’s physical, mental and emotional health. No place is
immune from gun violence, and we know that being exposed to violence can create long-term
and adverse health effects. We hope the Stop the Iron Pipeline movement can be a way for
community members to come together, raise our voice and do something to address this public
health crisis,” says Neil Meltzer, president and CEO of LifeBridge Health.
He adds, “Gun violence is not isolated; it reaches every corner of our communities – from big
cities to small towns and everywhere in between. It creates ripples of physical and emotional
trauma that can last for generations. As a community-focused health system, we believe we are
in a unique position to work with a variety of partners and organizations to raise awareness
about how gun violence is affecting our communities and see what we can do together to
decrease its impact.”
In the health system’s 2024 community health needs assessment, respondents named gun
violence, neighborhood safety and gun safety among their top health-related social concerns,
along with issues such as access to insurance and the affordability of healthy foods. In June
2024, the surgeon general declared firearm violence to be a public health crisis.
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Maryland leads the nation in the rate of illegally trafficked guns used in crimes – nearly three
times the national average, according to the 2020 Giffords Center analysis. Additionally,
research from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health published earlier this
year in JAMA Network Open concluded that “interstate gun transfers are a major contributor to
gun crime, injury and death in the United States.”
“Many Marylanders are likely unaware of the Iron Pipeline and its detrimental impact on our
state. Stop the Iron Pipeline represents a unique opportunity to educate and engage with our
fellow citizens and encourage action to ultimately reduce the impact of gun violence. Nothing
will change if no one speaks up, and LifeBridge Health is advancing the conversation and
advocating for safer, healthier communities,” says Meltzer.
THE FlLM AND THE ANTHEM:
Grammy-Nominated Rapper Logic Wrote and Recorded Song about the Iron Pipeline with
Backup Vocals from Baltimore-Area Kids
The centerpiece of the Stop the Iron Pipeline campaign is an anthem called “Pipeline,” written
by Maryland native hip-hop artist Logic, an accomplished and Grammy-nominated rapper and
mental health advocate.
“In launching this movement, we wanted to find an engaging way to reach people, particularly
younger generations. Firearms are a leading cause of death among children and teens in the
United States, and we know that young people are a driving force in societal movements around
those issues that impact them. Through the powerful connection of music, we saw a way to
engage and energize this audience in particular to join our effort to Stop the Iron Pipeline,” says
Brian Deffaa, chief marketing officer for LifeBridge Health.
With a compelling track by Logic, complemented with the cinematic video that follows the road
trip of a gun trafficker and concludes with him selling a gun to a teenager, creators hope the film
will provide a close-up and disturbing look at the issue with an emotional punch that will inspire
action.
To achieve the compelling message and enhance the impact of the film, the expertise of The
Music Playground, an award-winning music production and supervision house, was brought in
to oversee the entire music process from inception to completion. Their contribution was
invaluable in securing Logic for the project, as well as coordinating the choir and crafting the
final track arrangement.
“From the very first call, we were captivated by the vision and the critical mission to prevent gun
trafficking. It’s been an honor to contribute to such a powerful project, where music amplifies a
vital message. Playing a key role in the development process has been both inspiring and
rewarding. From the outset, we knew Logic was the ideal artist to champion this cause—his
artistry and dedication to addressing critical social issues brought unparalleled depth and
authenticity to the project,” says Sydney Ferleger, president of The Music Playground.
“Working with a musician who is passionate about the cause and able to connect with a younger
audience was vital to our movement. Logic’s Maryland roots, combined with his passion and
musical prowess, made him the ideal artist for this initiative. He created an anthem that
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embodies the spirit of the mission and vividly articulates the societal impact of gun violence and
the threats of the Iron Pipeline,” says Tyler DeAngelo, chief creative officer of StrawberryFrog,
the agency that developed the Stop the Iron Pipeline campaign with LifeBridge Health.
"Growing up in Maryland, I saw how gun violence tears apart families and communities—it’s an
issue that hits close to home and feels deeply personal to me. That’s why I’m proud to support
the Stop The Iron Pipeline initiative. Smuggled guns are fueling so much of the bloodshed, and
this effort is about cutting off that supply and making a real difference. I contributed to this
powerful project in the way I know best—through music and lyrics—telling the story of The Iron
Pipeline and the impact it has. My hope is that this initiative helps create a better, safer future for
the next generation,” says Logic.
Lyric sample:
That's how the people where I'm from feel,
all we know is what we know they done fed us a pill,
but when it comes to bullets on our block we must appeal,
they make us pick a side no one to confide,
when we young they tell us we could be whatever but they lied
The song’s refrain repeats, “Put 'em down and get up, Put 'em down and get up. This is
motivator for the people that been fed up. Put 'em down and get up, Put 'em down and get up.
This is motivator for the people that never let up.”
DeAngelo adds, “To accompany Logic’s powerful lyrics and vocals, we knew it would be
particularly meaningful to cast voices of Maryland children. Given the campaign’s goal to
engage younger people, we looked for a children’s choir in Maryland to add a unique and
deeply resonant touch to the anthem.”
THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Thirteen young singers, ranging in age from five to 13, provided backup vocals on the track.
They came from Resonate Baltimore, a Baltimore-area music school. The creators reached out
to local arranger and producer Monét Guthrie to compose the backup track and find the young
singers for the piece.
Rather than go to an established choir, Guthrie envisioned creating a fresh and organic sound.
She reached out to Resonate Baltimore cofounder and instructor Melissa Chin, who brought
together a group of her students to create the Resonate Baltimore Children’s Choir. The
recording for the “Pipeline” vocals was the first time the children performed together.
“The arranging and recording process for Stop the Iron Pipeline was incredible. I drew from the
emotions of my own experiences with gun violence to create unifying chants and convicting
harmonies that complement the raw energy of Logic’s compelling verses. This was also a
milestone for Resonate Baltimore Children’s Choir, marking their first involvement in such a
socially conscious project. Witnessing them step into the studio, their voices blending for the
first time, was truly moving. There was a sense of wonder and excitement in the air as we
worked to capture both the urgency of the issue and the hope for a better future. Their
innocence and optimism brought a new layer of depth to the song and a reminder of how music
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can unite generations in the fight for change,” says Guthrie, producer and cofounder of STEMS
Music, a Baltimore production and staffing company. Guthrie directed the children’s choir during
the recording at Wrightway Studios.
“As we’ve recorded at Baltimore’s Wrightway Studios for years and collaborated with Monét on
numerous album projects, this collaborative partnership felt like a natural extension of our
shared commitment to meaningful storytelling and our established creative synergy. We’re
proud to have been part of this important work and eagerly anticipate its impact,” says Ferleger.
Melissa Chin, co-founder of Resonate Baltimore, says, “This was a moment I will never forget.
Watching these students step up and give their all to something this important just fills my heart.
Seeing them show up with their unique gifts and make it happen with so much love and pride is
powerful. They have such big hearts and to see their joy and excitement as they take on this
moment is a blessing that words can’t even capture. They remind us of just how much we can
do when we come together as a community.”
The lyrics in Logic’s anthem specifically call out young people and call out leaders to do
something about the Iron Pipeline.
Lyric sample (2):
This doesn’t stop with the pipeline it starts with the right time
to open up these young minds and system,
callin’ community politicians
to take people from beneath and put ‘em in higher positions
this is your job to keep more alive
that’s why I put the gat down and never glorify
THE CAMPAIGN AND CALL TO ACTION: stoptheironpipeline.org
The anthem and three-and-a-half-minute short film will be shared on social media, with
vignettes airing on local broadcast media, streaming services and other outlets. Stop the Iron
Pipeline will also be featured in print and billboard advertising across the state, including the
Washington, D.C. metro area.
The multi-faceted Stop the Iron Pipeline campaign seeks to build a movement empowering
Marylanders and even those outside the state to advocate for policy changes and fight gun
trafficking.
The website StopTheIronPipeLine.org created by marketing agency Planit, serves as the
initiative’s hub where community members can learn more about the Iron Pipeline and take
action to share their concerns. The website will host a petition that visitors can sign to share
their support, including advocating for action from Maryland’s Center for Firearm Violence and
Prevention. There will also be a portal to connect visitors with their representatives at the
national and state level.
PERSONAL STORIES OF GUN VIOLENCE
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The initiative also looks to show how gun violence has directly and indirectly affected
individuals. Community members are encouraged to post their personal stories through the
website, as well share one-to-two-minute videos through social media using the hashtag:
#stoptheironpipeline.
These experiences provide real-world voice and perspective on the individual and personal
impact of gun violence. These stories will also be shared on the website and through social
media to amplify the message and impact of the campaign.
“Every day we hear a story of a gun that’s been brought to a school or disagreement that
escalates into gunfire or a domestic violence conflict exacerbated by the threat of a gun. Even
for people who may not have a direct connection to gun violence, they worry when they get a
text from their child’s school and think twice about going into a mall or other areas where large
numbers of people gather. We welcome everyone to share how gun violence, or the threat of
gun violence, affects us all,” says Adam Rosenberg, vice president of violence intervention and
prevention at LifeBridge Health and executive director of LifeBridge Health Center for Hope.
PARTNERS
Along with the community members, LifeBridge Health is connecting with businesses and other
organizations to partner on the Stop the Iron Pipeline campaign. This network of partners will
amplify efforts to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes and support communities
affected by gun violence.
Campaign partners currently include: The Baltimore Banner, Baltimore magazine, WBAL-TV
and WJZ-TV.
LifeBridge Health welcomes more partners to join the movement to Stop the Iron Pipeline.
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH AND GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
The Stop the Iron Pipeline campaign builds on LifeBridge Health’s legacy of taking on
challenging issues affecting the health of people in our communities. LifeBridge Health is
recognized as a national leader for its public health approach to address the effects of gun
violence.
CEO Neil Meltzer has been to the White House twice this year at the invitation of the White
House Office on Gun Violence, including serving as one of the lead presenters at a June summit
on public health and hospital-based strategies to address gun violence.
“We all understand the benefits of prevention compared to treatment when it comes to our
health, whether it’s cancer, heart disease or diabetes. Now we are seeing positive results of
taking a public health approach to gun violence; if we can prevent or reduce the impact of gun
violence, we can improve the health of our communities,” says Meltzer.
He adds, “Our doctors, nurses and caregivers treat those affected by gun violence and see
firsthand how it can shatter lives. Often overlooked are the victims’ families whose lives are also
dramatically changed by an incidence of gun violence. Those who witness the violence,
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including community members, are also affected, leaving lingering trauma, so LifeBridge Health
has built programs and services to try to meet those needs.”
LifeBridge Health’s Center for Hope is a first-of-its kind facility that brings together teams who
support people affected by violence, ranging from domestic, elder and child abuse to community
violence. Through its integrated programs, including Safe Streets and PAAVE (Pathways to
Advocacy Against Violence Every day), Center for Hope seeks to break the cycle of violence
and reduce its impact on individuals and communities.
In 2021, Center for Hope launched the Red Desk Project, a public art display of school desks
painted red to signify children who are no longer in school because they have been killed by
either abuse or gun violence.
Rosenberg says, “For every gun homicide there is a blast radius of a dozen or so children
impacted by that homicide. The Red Desk project aimed to make a strong statement that
deserves attention from the community and action. Stop the Iron Pipeline makes an equally bold
statement and challenges us to not be complacent and think that there is nothing that we can do
to prevent the effects of gun violence on people in our communities.”
CEO Neil Meltzer concludes, “Some may say that taking on gun violence it too complex a
challenge. However, doing nothing implies that we are okay with what’s happening in our
communities. How many times will we say, ‘We can’t believe this happened here’ before we’re
willing to do something? Stop the Iron Pipeline and the fight against illegal gun trafficking is
about people coming together to make a difference.”
Assets for media:
The film, interview clips, images from the campaign, images of the children’s chorus recording
session and viewing party, and other assets for media are available at:
www.lifebridgehealth.org/stoptherironpipeline-media
About LifeBridge Health:
LifeBridge Health is one of the largest, most comprehensive providers of health services in
Maryland. LifeBridge Health includes Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital, Carroll
Hospital, Levindale, Grace Medical Center and related subsidiaries and affiliates. For more
information, visit www.lifebridgehealth.org
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