Wayne State’s Board of Governors approved several measures during its regular Jan. 31 meeting, including a proclamation honoring victims and survivors of gun violence, introduced by Students Demand Action group. The proclamation declared the week of Feb. 1-8, 2020, as National Gun Violence Survivor Week on Wayne State’s campus. The measure was established to “honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence and uplift the resilient voices of survivors across the nation,” according to the proclamation. “We encourage all students to support their communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.”

Sailor Mayes and Megan Dombrowski, co-presidents of WSU Students Demand Action, presented the proclamation during the public comment portion of the meeting. 

"I was shocked and thrilled when I heard the Wayne State Board of Governors pass the proclamation on the day we had presented it, said Mayes, who is majoring in communication and political science. "I am so thankful for the Board and everyone who helped make this possible. May we never forget those who have fallen victim to gun violence."

"We are thankful to the Board of Governors for passing our resolution unanimously," said Dombrowski, who is majoring in political science. "By formally recognizing National Gun Violence Survivors Week, we hope to raise awareness among students and honor survivors of gun violence." 

For more information about WSU Students Demand Action, visit their Instagram or Facebook page, or contact wsustudentsdemand@gmail.com 

The full proclamation is as follows: 

GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVORS WEEK PROCLAMATION

DECLARING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 1, 2020 TO FEBRUARY 8, 2020 TO MARK NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVOR WEEK

This proclamation declares the week of February 1, 2020, to February 8, 2020, to be National Gun Violence Survivor Week on Wayne State University ​campus to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence and uplift the resilient voices of survivors across the nation.

WHEREAS​, every year, over 36,000 Americans are killed in acts of gun violence and 73,000 more are shot and wounded;

WHEREAS​, by early February, more Americans are killed with guns than are killed in our peer countries in an entire calendar year;

WHEREAS​, a gun violence survivor is anyone who has personally experienced gun violence — whether you have witnessed an act of gun violence, been threatened or wounded with a gun, or had someone you know and cared for wounded or killed;

WHEREAS​, forms of gun violence can include, but are not limited to: gun suicides, gun homicides, domestic violence involving a gun, shootings by law enforcement, and unintentional shootings;

WHEREAS​, 58 percent of American adults or someone they care for has experienced gun violence in their lifetime, demonstrating the reach and impact gun violence has in communities across America;

WHEREAS​, firearms are the second leading cause of death for children and teens and the first leading cause of death for Black children and teens in America;

WHEREAS​, Americans in communities across the nation are working to end the senseless violence by advocating for common-sense gun safety legislation;

WHEREAS​, by commemorating National Gun Violence Survivors Week on February 1 to February 8, communities across America will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives stolen by gun violence; and

WHEREAS​, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our communities safe.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED​, that the Wayne State University Board of Governors declares February 1 to February 8, 2020 to be Gun Violence Survivors Week. We encourage all students to support their communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.