CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE


                         PROCLAMATION

                GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
                         JUNE 3, 2022
WHEREAS, in 2020 more than 45,000 Americans were killed by firearms, including
about 26,000 by suicide and more than 19,000 by homicide, an average of about 70 gun
suicides and 50 gun homicides a day in this country; and

WHEREAS, hardly a week goes by in this country without news of another mass shooting,
whether in a church, a synagogue, a grocery store or an elementary school; and

WHEREAS, in recent years Virginia has had more than 1,000 gun deaths and more than
330 gun homicides annually, or approximately 1 gun homicide a day in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, localities across the nation, including Charlottesville, are working to end the
senseless violence with evidence-based solutions; and

WHEREAS, in January 2013, 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed in
Chicago in what has been described as a mistaken gang rivalry, and June 3, 2022 will be
the 25th anniversary of Hadiya’s birth; and

WHEREAS, on June 3, 2022, people across the United States will recognize National Gun
Violence Awareness Day and wear orange – the “don’t shoot” color for hunters – in tribute
to Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence; and

WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 3, 2022 Americans will raise awareness about
gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors; and

WHEREAS, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we
can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and encourage responsible gun ownership to
help keep our children safe.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Charlottesville City Council declares
June 3, 2022, to be Gun Violence Awareness Day in the City of Charlottesville to honor
and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence and to declare that we as a City
must do more to reduce gun violence. We encourage all Charlottesville citizens to advocate
for meaningful legislation, at the state and federal levels, to stop mass shootings and gun
violence, to support our local efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence, and to
honor and value human lives.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of June 2022.



_______________________
J. Lloyd Snook, III, Mayor