WHEREAS, The week beginning of June 12, 2017 is marked by anniversaries of two significant mass shootings in recent American history; and
WHEREAS, On June 12, 2016, in Orlando, Florida, 49 people were killed and 53 more injured at the Pulse Night Club during LatinX night; and
WHEREAS, On June 17, 2015, 9 people were killed at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Both of these tragic mass shootings were hate crimes; and
WHEREAS, These tragic mass shootings were facilitated by easy access to guns by people who should not have had them; and
WHEREAS, Gun violence is a longstanding and devastating problem in the City Philadelphia and throughout the nation. Shootings in Philadelphia continue at a rate of more than three per day; and
WHEREAS, More than 3,000 Philadelphians have been killed over the last decade-83 percent of them were killed with a gun; and
WHEREAS, All Philadelphians deserve to live their lives free of gun violence and the fear thereof; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia, Hereby honors and recognizes June 12-19, 2017 as Disarm Hate Week in the City of Philadelphia to mark the intersection of hate crimes and gun violence and pledge to honor the victims and work to prevent future tragedies.
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