*New York, NY –– For the third year Gun Violence Awareness Month (GVAM) will take place across New York during the month of June, highlighted by anti-violence events and advocacy efforts, and by proclamations from Mayors and County Executives, community leaders, clergy and activists, who will mark GVAM in their respective communities with heightened awareness and activities.
On June 10, 2015, thousands of New Yorkers across the state will wear orange, the universal theme color of peace that has been adopted to remember the lives lost and to amplify the clarion call for gun violence prevention as New York heads into the summer months. Elected officials, businesses, unions, student organizations and community groups will wear orange, and there will be events across the city and state.
Other highlights for GVAM will include PSA’s from city and state leaders, “Sermon Sundays” where ecumenical religious leaders, including preachers, rabbis and Imams across New York State have signed on to devote one Saturday or Sunday in their House of Worship to anti-violence, and proclamations, resolutions and letters of support from a range of elected officials.
State Co-Chair of GVAM is Byron Brown the Mayor of Buffalo. Also uniting around the effort are US Congressional leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Charles B. Rangel, Carolyn Maloney; Members of the NYS Black Puerto Rican Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus; NYS Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh, Co-Chair of NYLGVP and Chair of ASLGVP; NYS Assemblywoman Michelle Shimel, Co-Chair of NYLGVP; Stephanie Miner, Mayor of Syracuse; Lovely Warren, Mayor of Rochester; Kathy Sheehan, Mayor of Albany; Mike Spano, Mayor of Yonkers; Noam Bramson, Mayor of New Rochelle; Earnest Davis, Mayor of Mount Vernon; Scott Stringer, NYC Comptroller; Letitia James, NYC Public Advocate; Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President; Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President; Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President; Ruben Diaz Jr, Bronx Borough President; Tamika D. Mallory, Chair of the New York Justice League, Erica Ford, LifeCamp Inc./I love My Life; NYC Councilmember Jumaane Williams, NYC Councilmber Robert Cornegy, NYC Councilmember, Ydanis Rodriguez, NYC Councilmember and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.
New York State is the only state in the nation to dedicate anentire month to the issue of gun violence prevention and awareness. In 2013 the first resolution unanimously passed the New York State Legislature naming June Gun Violence Awareness Month as part of a five year push to reduce gun violence across the State. The resolution was sponsored in the Assembly by former State Assemblyman Karim Camara and in the Senate by State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson. Similar resolutions and proclamations were issued in every major city in New York State, including New York City. Highlights from last year’s GVAM included, a public service announcement done by New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray and New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams, Co-Chair of the New York City Council Gun Violence Task Force.
Events in June will include: Everytown for Gun Safety June 2nd #WearingOrange; Mother’s in Charge, Inc. June 6th National Rally; National ASK Day on June 21st; and many other marches, town hall meetings, youth engagement activities, gun buy backs, public service announcements and social media campaigns. For more information on the month’s activities or to get involved, please visit: www.gunviolenceawarenessmonth.org.
source:
Rachel Noerdlinger
Managing Director
www.mercuryllc.com
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