Title
Recognizing the week of February 1, 2021 to February 7, 2021 as National Gun Violence Survivors Week to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence, and uplift the resilient voices of survivors in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, The United States has a gun rate death eleven times higher than that of other high-income countries, and the gun violence crisis continues to be intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. By February, more Americans will have died from gun violence than other nations will experience in an entire year; and
WHEREAS, Every year, over 36,000 Americans are killed in acts of gun violence and 73,000 more are shot and wounded. 58% of adult Americans are gun violence survivors, and 68% of Black and Latino adults are gun violence survivors; and
WHEREAS, Firearms are the second leading cause of death for children and teens, and the first leading cause of Black children and teens in America; and
WHEREAS, In 2020, Philadelphia recorded a near-record 499 homicides, an increase of about 40% over the previous year. More than 2,200 people were injured in shooting incidents. To date, there have been 50 homicides in Philadelphia this year, a 32% increase from 2020. As of January 28, 2021, there have been 144 nonfatal and 38 fatal shooting victims; and
WHEREAS, A gun violence survivor is anyone who has personally experienced gun violence. This includes witnessing an act of gun violence, being threatened or wounded with a gun, or knowing and caring for someone who was wounded or killed with a gun; and
WHEREAS, This year's National Gun Violence Survivors Week will focus on highlighting the resilience of America's gun violence survivors, who despite experiencing incredible trauma, are leading work on the ground to support other survivors and advocating for common-sense measures that save lives; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia filmmaker Shameka Sawyer produced a film titled Sometimes I Cry in June, which tells the story of her brother, Allen Ta...
Click here for full text