Kalamazoo proclaims June 5 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day

Mayor Dave F. Anderson opened the May 18 meeting by reading a proclamation designating Friday, June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Kalamazoo.

The proclamation, presented by Commissioner Wilson, cited national and state statistics on gun deaths and injuries and referenced Hadiya (Hadeah) Pendleton in calling for community action and evidence-based prevention. "This proclamation declares the first Friday in June to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the city of Kalamazoo to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence," Commissioner Wilson said while presenting the document.

Speakers who accepted the proclamation urged continued local work to reduce shootings and support survivors. A representative attending with the proclamation noted community partnerships between city officials, law enforcement and intervention groups and encouraged residents to wear orange on June 5 as a visible sign of solidarity.

The proclamation is symbolic and urges residents and agencies to continue collaborations to prevent gun violence; it does not enact a new local law. The commission did not take a separate vote on policy changes tied to the proclamation at the meeting.

The city will mark National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday, June 5, 2026; local organizers were present and took a group photograph at the conclusion of the presentation.