City of Rochester
News Release
(Friday, June 7, 2019) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren and City Council Vice President Willie J. Lightfoot, in partnership with several local organizations, will participate in a ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday at Rocky’s Pizza, 810 Genesee St., to dedicate a mural created by local WALL\THERAPY artist Brittany Williams that honors those affected by gun violence.
“It makes me very proud to see so many of my fellow citizens who are so committed to ending the plague of gun violence in our city,” Mayor Warren said. “We are making tremendous progress in his fight, but we cannot rest until we eradicate gun violence in Rochester.”
The ceremony will highlight citywide and nationwide gun-violence prevention efforts. The dedication ceremony will also feature voter registration and civic education initiatives as well as an opportunity for community members to sign the mural. A sign language interpreter will provide services at the event.
Ms. Williams describes the mural as “a vision of hope through tragedy.” Survivors of gun violence will share powerful stories, and community members are invited to honor loved ones by painting their names on the wall. Several organizations and their representatives will be in attendance to offer support and awareness around this pressing issue, including Rise Up Rochester, Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action and Indivisible ROC.
The WALL\THERAPY mural dedication is part of the national theWear Orange Weekend (#WearOrangeWeekend) campaign and is among several gun-violence awareness activities organized by members of the ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition (RAGVC) during the month of June. Rochester is among many U.S. cities that proclaim the first Friday in June as Gun Violence Awareness Day. Council Vice President Lightfoot is chair of the RAGVC.
To learn more about the RAGVC and find other gun-violence awareness events in June, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/thinkaboutit/.
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News Media: For more information, contact Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.