Gun Violence Awareness Day Is June 1 In Beachwood

BEACHWOOD, OH — June 1 will be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Beachwood thanks to a proclamation from Mayor Martin Horwitz and Beachwood City Council. "As mayor, I have no greater responsibility than to keep our residents, especially our children, safe from harm," Horwitz said.

Horwitz is a member of two organizations connected to gun violence awareness: Mayors Against Illegal Guns and the Everytown for Gun Safety Program. One of Everytown's partner organizations is Moms Demand Action, whose members asked Beachwood to recognize June 1 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Mittie Jones, an active member of the Moms Demand Action group and a Beachwood resident, attended a recent city council meeting and asked the city to take part in the National Gun Violence Awareness initiative. Horwitz and city council agreed and passed a proclamation officially making June 1 National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the city.

Gun Violence Awareness Day started in 2013 after the death of a 15-year-old Chicagoan. Hadiya Pendelton, an honors student, had marched in President Barack Obama's inauguration parade. A week later she was shot and killed. A movement rose up in the wake of her passing and multiple groups are now working to recognize gun violence in the U.S.

Hadiya's friends wore orange in her honor. That color, orange, is now closely associated with gun violence awareness. Horwitz and city council said they are supporters of the Wear Orange 2018 movement.

Photo from city of Beachwood