City of Rochester
News Release
(Friday, June 2, 2017) - Mayor Lovely A. Warren today proclaimed the month of June as Gun Violence Awareness Month in the city of Rochester and began a month-long community conversation on the destruction of gun violence. The Proclamation was issued in conjunction with Gun Violence Awareness Day, which is being proclaimed in communities across the nation to honor the birthday of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Chicago girl who was shot and killed a week after marching in President Obama’s second inaugural parade.
“In an effort to extend the impact of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, the city of Rochester is designating June as Gun Violence Awareness Month with the Mayor calling on all citizens to not only wear orange, but to also clasp hands and join a movement—a wellspring — to change the culture of violence — to ensure that Hadiya, as well as all those who are injured or become victims from gun violence each year, do not die or suffer in vain. A call is made for all Rochesterians to help reduce gun violence, pledge to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and encourage responsible gun ownership in order to keep our families safe,” Mayor Warren stated in the Proclamation, which was delivered on the steps of City Hall.
The Mayor’s Office is working with the faith community and human-service agencies to develop a series of events during June that will serve as “conversation starters” on the topic of gun violence.
In addition, Mayor Warren is inviting city property owners and residents to shine an orange light during the first full week of Gun Violence Awareness Month. Orange is the symbolic color of the national movement because orange is the color hunters wear to prevent themselves from being shot. It is the color that represents the value of human life.
City Hall, the Rundel Memorial Library and the High Falls will be lit orange from June 2 through 11. Several Downtown high rises will also be lit orange during the month.
To learn more, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/gvam/.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo ate 428-7135.