Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Month; survivors and advocacy groups urge action and funding
Summary
Council members and community leaders marked June as Gun Violence Awareness Month during the June 10 meeting. Survivors and advocates described recent shootings in multiple neighborhoods and urged the council to back the resolution with meaningful funding and programming.
The Sacramento City Council observed Gun Violence Awareness Month on June 10 as council members and community advocates highlighted recent shootings in the city and pressed the council to back the resolution with investments in prevention, youth programs and community services.
Council member Lisa Kaplan opened the remarks, describing a rise in hate and the disproportionate suicide and violent‑injury risk faced by LGBTQ+ youth, and said "they belong" as she framed the month’s theme. Council member Katie Maple, co‑presenter of the recognition, described Sacramento’s adopted protections for transgender residents and urged broader community and employer support.
The council heard from survivors and organizers - Deborah Grimes, a local activist whose son was killed in a shooting, thanked council members for supporting the recognition and described the personal toll of gun violence; she urged sustained action beyond symbolic recognition. - Barry Axios, founder of Voice of the Youth Foundation, and other community members organized a film showing and panel tied to Gun Violence Awareness Day and urged continued collaboration between advocates and the city.
Why it matters: Speakers tied recent local shootings to a broader call for prevention. Several council members noted the budget deliberations underway and said they hoped restorations and Measure L awards would help expand prevention and youth programs.
Formal action: The transcript records the council taking up the presentation and public comments on the recognition. The record does not include a separate, roll‑call vote adopting a new ordinance or ordinance number tied to the recognition; speakers and council members described support for the resolution and related community events.
