Board hears survivor testimony and proclaims June 5 National Gun Violence Awareness Day

The Topeka Public Schools board read a proclamation recognizing June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and heard testimony from local advocates.

Ann Williamson introduced advocates wearing orange to mark the day. Tanya Boyd, identifying herself as a survivor and a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, spoke to the board about gun violence prevention, described distributing gun locks at community events and recounted the loss of her daughter. In her remarks she said, "485 people are lost each year in Kansas to gun violence and 68% of them are gun suicides." She urged parents and the community to practice safe storage and prevention efforts.

Board members then read a proclamation that referenced national and state statistics and noted the day was inspired by classmates of Hadia Pendleton who first commemorated her life with school communities wearing orange. The proclamation text quoted in the record included several statistical figures for national and state deaths and costs; the meeting record contains the numbers as read on the floor. Board members thanked advocates and affirmed the district’s recognition of the awareness day.

The board did not take legislative action related to the proclamation during the meeting; supporters and staff said the district has distributed gun locks at community events in past years and will continue outreach efforts.