June 4, 2024
City Council
DATE: June 4, 2024
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM:
Council Member Soheila Bana and Mayor Eduardo
Martinez
Subject:
Observe National Gun Violence Awareness Day and
Request for Funding Allocation
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $5,000 and staff time to coordinate event efforts. This will be funded from General Fund account string 01917090-
400322.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
No previous action on this issue.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
To observe National Gun Violence Awareness Day on
the first Friday in June, to honor and remember all victims of gun violence in efforts to reduce gun violence.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
PROCLAMATION observing National Gun Violence
Awareness Day; and DIRECT staff to APPROPRIATE a
$5,000 budget from the general fund to be used in
support of activities including but not limited to a
community vigil, educational outreach, and a public
gathering to foster community solidarity against gun
violence – Councilmember Bana (510-672-3490) and
Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503).
AGENDA
REPORT
June 4, 2024
DISCUSSION:
National Gun Violence Awareness Day is observed annually across the United States on the first Friday of June to honor and remember all victims of gun violence and to declare that we as a country must do more to reduce gun violence.
The day was inspired by the life of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old high school student from Chicago, who was tragically shot and killed just one week after performing at President Obama's second inaugural parade in 2013, leading her friends to wear orange in her honor, as orange is the color that hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.
An 18-year-old graduating senior from Kennedy High School is the latest victim of gun violence who tragically lost their life in the month of May 2024. It’s important for the City of Richmond to recognize the significance of this day as it promotes community safety and awareness to yield actions to reduce gun violence. It also fosters the necessary dialogue between the Office of Neighborhood Safety, the Richmond Police Department and the families and community members who have been impacted gun violence.
The local chapter of Moms Demand Action have expressed strong support for the city's participation in National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Requests:
Appropriate a budget of $5,000 from the general fund for expenditures in connection with the observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Day on the first Friday of June this year.
The allocated funds will be used to support activities including but not limited to a community vigil, educational outreach, and a public gathering to foster community solidarity against gun violence.
This event will be organized in collaboration with the Office of Neighborhood Safety, the Richmond Police Department, the 23rd Street Merchants Association, and the local chapter of Moms Demand Action to ensure a comprehensive and unified approach.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation