FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 20, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: RACHEL NOERDLINGER, 212-681-1380
ROSS ADAIR, 212-681-1380; JESSICA ALAIMO, 585-428-7135
MAYOR LOVELY WARREN LAUNCHES “100 CITIES TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE” INITIATIVE
Rochester Mayor Joins Forces with Mayors Nationwide to Take Back Our Communities and Effect Change during Gun Violence Awareness Month
In response to the Orlando shooting, the deadliest domestic shooting in U.S. history, Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren has invited mayors from across the United States to recognize June as Gun Violence Awareness Month (GVAM) and work to make neighborhoods safer for citizens. Mayor Warren is asking at least 100 U.S. mayors to sign a petition at Change.org to support the common goal of reducing gun violence in America.
As part of Gun Violence Awareness Month this June, Mayor Warren is joining with the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) and their #OrlandoUnited and #OurMayors movement in an act of national solidarity. Mayor Warren hopes to address gun violence in a meaningful way to make our cities safe for our citizens.
“As mayors, we understand that gun violence plagues each of our cities,” Mayor Warren wrote in a letter delivered to mayors of several dozen cities. “Gun violence victimizes families, public safety officers and neighborhoods. Local governments are on the front lines. Our citizens are in the trenches. June is national Gun Violence Awareness Month (“GVAM”) and the time for action could not be more pressing. Our nation’s mayors must address gun violence in a meaningful way.”
Mayor Warren hopes to create a national movement around “100 Cities to Reduce Gun Violence.” The initiative has a goal of bringing more than 100 U.S. cities on board by the end of June, creating National Gun Violence Awareness Month and keeping the issues of gun violence in the forefront year round.
The petition can be found at https://www.change.org/p/city-of-rochester-100-cities-to-reduce-gun-violence/.
In addition to signing a petition during the month of June to bring recognition to gun violence in America, Mayor Warren is asking elected officials to:
- Recommend five ideas that can reduce gun violence in our cities, which Mayor Warren will share with all contributors; and
- Recruit at least five cities that will designate June 2017 as GVAM.
To learn more about the initiative, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/GVAM
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