National Gun Violence Awareness DayPROCLAMATION
VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
WHEREAS, every day, more than 100 Americans are killed by gun violence, alongside more than 230 who are shot and
wounded, and on average there are more than 13,000 gun homicides every year. Americans are 25 times more likely to
die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; and
WHEREAS, Florida has 2,752 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people. Florida has the 27'"
highest rate of gun deaths in the U.S. Gun homicides and assaults are concentrated in cities, with more than half of all
firearm related gun deaths in the nation occurring in 127 cities; and
WHEREAS, cities across the nation, including the Village of North Palm Beach, are working to end the senseless
violence with evidence -based solutions. Protecting public safety in the communities they serve is the Mayors' highest
responsibility. 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. Gun violence
prevention is more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate gun violence after more than
a year 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 4, 2021 to
recognize her 24h birthday, people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and
wear orange in tribute to Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence and the loved one of those victims. The idea
was inspired by a group of Hadiya's friends, who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange;
they chose this color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods and
orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life. Anyone can join this campaign by pledging to wear orange on
June 4h to help 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; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Darryl C. Aubrey, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the Village of North
Palm Beach, do hereby proclaim June 4, 2021 as
NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
in the Village of North Palm Beach, Florida. Further, all citizens are encouraged to support their local communities'
efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Village of North Palm Beach to be
affixed this 11th day of May, 2021.
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Mayor