In a significant move towards addressing gun violence, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Kalamazoo to renew focus on preventive measures. At Edison Academy, she signed an executive order reinstating the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, emphasizing community engagement in tackling this pressing issue.
Surrounded by community leaders and educators, Whitmer declared June as Gun Violence Prevention Month, highlighting the pervasive impact of gun violence across the state. “Michiganders are familiar with this pain, as are people in every state in this country. We remember the students who were lost at Oxford High School or at Michigan State University,” she stated.
The decision to hold the event in Kalamazoo was partly influenced by the involvement of Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller in the task force. Sheriff Fuller shared insights from his ongoing work, saying, “When we started, we started with goals. We set goals like: ‘what are the root causes?’ Finding out the root causes of gun violence, compiling and reporting relevant data, soliciting perspectives from diverse community partners and advocates.”
The executive order ensures the task force can continue its mission of research and advocacy. Among the speakers were Michigan Chief Medical Officer Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Kalamazoo Public Schools Superintendent Darrin Slade, Loy Norrix High School Principal Chris Aguinaga, and Savannah Robert, a recent graduate and leader within the Students Demand Action group.
The event drew a diverse crowd, including students, local policymakers, and community members, underscoring widespread concern over gun violence. Whitmer remarked on recent tragic events, saying, “Just in the last year, places of worship in Grand Blanc and West Bloomfield experienced unimaginable tragedies. Too many communities routinely see devastating headlines of bullets being fired on the streets.”
Governor Whitmer made her appearance after visiting a picket line in Three Rivers, where American Axle workers are currently striking.
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