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WHEREAS, violence in America continues to threaten the safety and well-being of citizens of all ages and walks of life; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, there were 9,000 murders committed nationwide using firearms: 6,009 involving handguns, 1,939 involving an unreported weapon type; 358 involving rifles and 373 involving shotguns; and
WHEREAS, Black Women for Positive Change is a national, civic, volunteer network with representation in 21 states whose primary goals are to preserve and strengthen the American middle and working classes, with emphasis on the African American community, and to "change the culture of violence in America"; and
WHEREAS, Black Women for Positive Change members have worked with elected officials and community leaders from Pittsburgh and across the country to increase knowledge of and training in conflict resolution, parenting skills, and mental health and non-violence resources, and have encouraged anti-violence media campaigns and outreach to faith-based institutions in the hopes of making a positive change to non-violence; and
WHEREAS, in pursuit of these goals and in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington, Black Women for Positive Change will host a Summit on Non-Violence on Thursday, August 22, 2013 in Washington, D.C., bringing together faith leaders, elected officials, and community leaders to examine methods and principles of non-violence that can be taught to parents and youth in order to avoid conflicts that result in violence and death; and
WHEREAS, central to the goals of the Summit on Non-Violence is a National Day of Non-Violence to be observed on August 22, 2013 in cities across the nation to encourage the spread of Black Women for Positive Change's mission.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Pittsburgh does hereby applaud the organization Black Women for Positive Change for its advocacy and energy to spread their message of non-violence with programs, ceremonies, and activities in communities around the country; and
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THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Thursday, August 22, 2013 to be the Black Women for Positive Change's National Day of Non-Violence in the City of Pittsburgh.
SPONSORED BY COUNCILWOMAN NATALIA RUDIAK
CO-SPONSORED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARLENE M. HARRIS, REV. RICKY V. BURGESS, PATRICK DOWD, THERESA KAIL-SMITH, BRUCE KRAUS, R. DANIEL LAVELLE, COREY O'CONNOR, AND WILLIAM PEDUTO