RESOLUTION XX
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA DECLARING
THE FIRST FRIDAY IN JUNE TO BE
NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
WHEREAS, this resolution declares the first Friday in June to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the City of Richmond to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence and to declare that we as a country must do more to reduce gun violence; and
WHEREAS, every day, more than 110 Americans are killed by gun violence, alongside more than 200 who are shot and wounded, and on average there are nearly 16,000-gun homicides every year; and
WHEREAS, Americans are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; and
WHEREAS, California has 3160-gun deaths every year, with a rate of 7.8 deaths per 100,000 people. California has the 45th highest rate of gun deaths in the US; and
WHEREAS, gun homicides and assaults are concentrated in cities, with more than half of all firearm related gun deaths in the nation occurring in 127 cities; and
WHEREAS, cities across the nation, including in Richmond are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) was created in 2007 and is responsible for building partnerships and strategies that produce sustained reductions in firearm assaults and related retaliations and deaths in Richmond; and,
WHEREAS, protecting public safety in our communities is one of our highest responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from people with dangerous histories; and
WHEREAS, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic and racism continue to exacerbate gun violence; and,
WHEREAS, after more than two years of increased gun sales, increased calls to suicide and domestic violence hotlines, and an increase in city gun violence, the nation collectively needs to do more; and,
WHEREAS, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and on June 3, 2022 to recognize the 25th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton (born: June 2, 1997), people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to (1) Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence, as well as the loved ones of those victims; and,
WHEREAS, the idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya’s friends, who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange; they chose this color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods and orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life; and,
WHEREAS, anyone can join this campaign by pledging to wear orange on June 3rd, the first Friday in June in 2022, to help raise awareness about gun violence; and,
WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 3, 2022, Americans will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors; and
WHEREAS, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our children safe.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Richmond City Council declares the first Friday in June, June 3, 2022, to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day and encourages all residents to support their local communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.
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I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on INSERT DATE, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
CLERK OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
Approved:
Mayor
Approved as to form:
Interim City Attorney