Title
Proclamation to Declare Friday, June 3, 2022 National Gun Violence Awareness Day
Memorandum
PROCLAMATION
Friday, June 3, 2022
National Gun Violence Awareness Day
WHEREAS, every day, more than 110 Americans are killed by gun violence, 200 more are shot and wounded, and there are nearly16,000 gun homicides annually; and
WHEREAS, Americans are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; and
WHEREAS, in Michigan has 1,270 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 12.7 deaths per 100,000 people. Michigan has the 29th 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 Ann Arbor, are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions; and
WHEREAS, protecting public safety in the communities they serve is a mayor’s highest responsibility; 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, mayors and law enforcement officers know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and are best positioned to understand how to keep their citizens safe; and
WHEREAS, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate gun violence after more than two years of increased gun sales, calls to suicide and domestic violence hotlines, and an increase in city gun violence;
WHEREAS, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and, to recognize the 25th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton, people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence; and
WHEREAS, the idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya’s friends, who asked classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange as hunters wear orange for safety, a color symbolizing the value of human life; and
WHEREAS, anyone can join this campaign by pledging to wear orange on June 3, 2022, to help raise awareness about gun violence and honor 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, I, Christopher Taylor, Mayor of Ann Arbor, Michigan, join Moms Demand Action in declaring the first Friday in June, June 3, 2022, to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day. I encourage all citizens to support their local communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.
I hereby set my hand and seal
The 27th day of May 2022
_______________________________
Christopher Taylor
Mayor of the City of Ann Arbor
Staff
Prepared by: Kelly Reynolds