WHEREAS, every day, nearly 130 people in the United States are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 19,000 gun homicides every year; and
WHEREAS, people in the United States are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; and
WHEREAS, in California, there are thousands of gun-related deaths each year, with a significant social and economic impact on communities, including costs related to health care, law enforcement, and lost productivity; and
WHEREAS, gun homicides and assaults are concentrated in cities, with more than half of all gun homicides in the nation occurring in 42 cities; and
WHEREAS, cities across the nation, including Richmond, are working to reduce gun violence through evidence-based public safety and community-based prevention strategies; and
WHEREAS, protecting public safety in the communities they serve is mayors’ highest responsibility; and
WHEREAS, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others; and
WHEREAS, mayors, councilmembers, law enforcement officers, and community- based violence prevention organizations know their communities best and are uniquely positioned to respond to local conditions and support safety efforts; and
WHEREAS, gun violence prevention remains critical as communities across the country continue to be impacted by its effects; and
2026 CITY PROCLAMATION
DECLARING THE FIRST FRIDAY IN JUNE TO BE NATIONAL
GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
WHEREAS, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and on June 5, 2026, communities across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day to honor her memory and the lives of all victims of gun violence; and
WHEREAS, the Wear Orange movement was inspired by friends of Hadiya Pendleton, who asked others to wear orange to honor her life and symbolize the value of human life; and
WHEREAS, anyone can participate in this national observance by wearing orange on June 5, 2026, the first Friday in June, to raise awareness about gun violence and its impacts; and
WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 5, 2026, individuals across the United States will honor survivors and victims of gun violence and support efforts to prevent future tragedies; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond renews its commitment to reducing gun violence and supporting efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who should not have access to them while encouraging responsible gun ownership to help keep communities safe.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Mayor Eduardo Martinez of the City of Richmond declares June 5, 2026, the first Friday in June, to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the City of Richmond, California, and encourages all residents to support efforts to prevent gun violence and honor the lives impacted by it.
___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Jamelia Brown
City of Richmond Councilmember District 1
June 16, 2026