City honors gun violence awareness with powerful proclamation

During a recent city council meeting, the theme \"Green City, Bright Future\" was celebrated with the announcement of poster contest winners, followed by a significant proclamation regarding gun violence awareness. The council officially recognized June 7 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the entire month as Gun Violence Awareness Month, reaffirming their commitment to reducing gun violence and promoting responsible gun ownership.

The proclamation was presented by the Mayor Pro Tem, who highlighted the tragic story of Hadiya Pendleton, a young victim of gun violence, and the origins of the awareness campaign that encourages citizens to wear orange as a symbol of safety. The city plans to light up the wave in orange from June 7 to 9 to further raise awareness.

Representatives from Moms Demand Action, including Janie Merritt and Marge, attended to accept the proclamation. Merritt expressed gratitude for the city's recognition and emphasized the ongoing efforts to combat gun violence, including the distribution of gun locks and the implementation of safety programs for at-risk community members. She invited the public to a family-friendly event at Wayside Park on June 8, which will honor gun violence survivors and feature various activities.

Council members also shared their support for the initiative, with Council Member Josie acknowledging the year-round efforts of Moms Demand Action and the importance of community safety measures. The meeting concluded with the introduction of Mark Polgarin as the new senior public works inspector, who expressed his enthusiasm for serving the community.

The discussions underscored the city's proactive stance on public safety and community engagement, particularly in addressing the pressing issue of gun violence.