HomeMy Public PortalAbout05172022 Gun Violence Awareness Day
National Gun Violence Awareness Day
WHEREAS, every day, more than 110 Americans are killed by gun violence, alongside more than 200 who are
shot and wounded, and on average there are nearly 16,000 gun homicides every year; and
WHEREAS, Washington has 810 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 10.5 deaths per 100,00 people and
Washington has the 39th highest rate of gun deaths in the US; and
WHEREAS, cities across the nation, including in Bothell, are working to end the senseless violence with
evidence-based solutions and protecting public safety in the communities they serve is mayors’ highest
responsibility; and
WHEREAS, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping
guns away from people with dangerous histories; and
WHEREAS, mayors and law enforcement officers know their communities best, are the most familiar with
local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep their citizens
safe; and
WHEREAS, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to
exacerbate gun violence after more than two years of increased gun sales, increased calls to suicide and
domestic violence hotlines, and an increase in city gun violence; and
WHEREAS, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and on June 3, 2022
to recognize the her 25th birthday, people across the US will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness day
and wear orange in tribute to Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence; and
WHEREAS, the idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya’s friends, who asked their classmates to
commemorate her life by wearing orange; a color they chose because hunters wear orange to announce
themselves to other hunters in the woods; and
WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 3, 2022 Americans will raise awareness about gun violence and honor
the lives of 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;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, I Mason Thompson, Mayor of Bothell, declare the first Friday in June,
June 3, 2022, to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day. I encourage all citizens to support their local
communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.
Signed this 17th day of May, 2022
_____________________________
Mason Thompson, Mayor
Mason Thompson (May 17, 2022 14:07 PDT)
Mason Thompson