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St. Louis County proclaims June 2025 Gun Violence Awareness Month after survivors share testimony
Summary
The St. Louis County Board issued a proclamation declaring June 2025 Gun Violence Awareness Month and heard testimony from a resident who lost multiple relatives to gun violence; the board and county staff announced community events and lighting displays to mark the month.
The St. Louis County Board proclaimed June 2025 Gun Violence Awareness Month and heard emotional testimony from a Duluth resident who urged action after losing several family members to gun violence.
The proclamation, read during the June 3 board meeting, called on residents to “honor the value of human lives” and encouraged community leaders to discuss ways to make communities safer. The board also announced local observances, including a June 14 bell-ringing and cookout on Fourth and Lake and an evening lighting of Enger Tower and the courthouse in Hibbing in orange to mark the month.
The proclamation text presented figures for Minnesota that the board included in its statement: “an average 132 people die by gun homicides, and 583 are wounded by gun assaults, and an average of 371 people die by gun suicides.” The board said the month’s activities aim to raise awareness, promote dialogue and encourage actions to reduce gun violence.
Community member Lavenda Van told the board she had lost four family members to gun violence and urged collective action. “Losing someone to gun violence, it hurts the family,” Van said. “Let's end gun violence and say no more victims.”
Commissioner Boyle, who read the proclamation, referenced recent local incidents and national developments as context for the proclamation and said, “I think this is that much more important as a gun owner, as a hunter. We need to have compromise, and I'm so glad that we're able to do this proclamation today.”
County staffer Carl Crawford introduced Van and noted that she had requested a county recognition. Board members expressed support for continued community events and planning, and the board invited advocates and commissioners to pose for a commemorative photograph at the meeting.
The board did not record a formal roll-call vote on the proclamation during the public reading; the item was presented and the board moved on to subsequent business after the presentations and announcements.
