Royal Oak Votes on Gun Violence Resolution
(City of Royal Oak, Feb. 27, 2018)
Royal Oak, MI – The Royal Oak City Commission passed a resolution Monday night in support of March for Our Lives, a nationwide protest on March 24 to protest gun violence. The vote – 4-1 with one commissioner abstaining and one absent – occurred hours after students returned to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Fla., for the first time since a gunman attacked and killed 17 of their fellow classmates and teachers.
Mayor Michael Fournier, who has three school-aged children and whose wife is a teacher, asked for the resolution to be added to the agenda.
“Every day I have this fear in the back of my mind that I might not see my family at the end of the day,” Fournier said. “People in our community feel the same way and they want to know where we stand.”
The resolution demands state and federal elected officials enact sensible gun control policies and invites Royal Oak residents to join in student-led March for Our Lives protests in Michigan and across the nation.
“We are united across all boundaries in our national grief and determined message of love for Parkland, Fla.,” Commissioner Melanie Macey said in her innovation at the beginning of the regularly-scheduled city commission meeting. “As ever, even in a time overwhelmed by shock, fear, and anger, a new day dawns and a new chance to make this world a better and safer place for our children.”
Here is the resolution:
At a regular meeting of the city commission of the City of Royal Oak, County of Oakland, Michigan, held on February 26, 2018 at 7:30 o’clock p.m., Eastern Time.
Present: Mayor Fournier: Mayor Pro Tem Douglas: Commissioner Gibbs: Commissioner
LeVasseur: Commissioner Macey: and Commissioner Paruch
Absent: Commissioner DuBuc
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Mayor Pro Tem Douglas and supported by Commissioner Macey.
Resolution in Support of March For Our Lives
Whereas, the United States leads the world in the number of mass shootings defined as four or more people being shot during one incident, not including the shooter; and
Whereas, statistics from the Gun Violence Archives reveal there have been 1,627 mass shootings in 1,870 days; and
Whereas, perpetrators of mass shootings prey on the most vulnerable of our society making schools their targets; and
Whereas, since January 1, 2018 there have been at least 7 shootings in American schools
resulting in injury or death, and a total of 208 since the Columbine school shooting on April 20, 1999; and
Whereas, since this crisis became evident and debate commenced regarding the role mental illness contributes to mass shootings, neither congress nor the state legislature have found the political will to reduce access to military grade assault weapons or enact any other effective gun control policies; and
Whereas, calls to fortify our schools and arm professional educators do nothing to address the true cause of this uniquely American problem, and
Whereas, the Parkland survivors have decided that enough is enough and have organized a ‘March for Our Lives’ to take place Saturday, March 24; and
Whereas, students from around the country (and the world) will unite on March 24, 2018 to show
their resolve and demand action from legislators for comprehensive gun control; and
Whereas, we believe all children deserve safe and healthy environments to pursue their
education and that it is our responsibility to provide them with this most basic necessity; and
Whereas, we believe children in Royal Oak are no less at risk than anywhere else in the country.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, the City of Royal Oak stands with the students and children of our community by demanding that our state and federal elected officials enact sensible gun control policies; and
Be it further resolved, the City of Royal Oak invites all residents to join in showing support on March 24, 2018 as we all come together for our children and their future and join them in the March for Our Lives.
Ayes: Mayor Fournier: Mayor Pro Tem Douglas: Commissioner Macey: and
Commissioner Paruch
Nays: Commissioner LeVasseur
Abstained: Commissioner Gibbs