Citizens rally as Piedmont formally observes Gun Violence Awareness Day

At the June 3, 2019 Piedmont City Council meeting, this group received a copy of the city's proclamation in support of Gun Violence Awareness Day, which was June 7. Pictured here. from left to right, are Shafer Dando, Izara Dando, Mayor Robert McBain, Amy Maidenberg, Joan Hoffman, and Erin Dando (Photo credit: Sam Richards)

Among the hundreds of orange-wearing supporters of increased gun safety who marched across the Golden Gate Bridge Saturday were a group of Piedmont residents — a clutch of whom helped the Piedmont City Council formally observe Gun Violence Awareness Day (which was June 7).

“It’s wonderful to see that our city is participating in this endeavor,” said Joan Hoffman, one of a small group of Piedmonters to received a formal proclamation from Mayor Robert McBain at the June 3 council meeting. Hoffman is a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which is part of Everytown for Gun Safety.

Among those on hand to receive the proclamation were Amy Maidenberg, also a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and Erin Dando, deputy national organizing director for the organization.

“This is a serious public health issue, and we appreciate that Piedmont is becoming part of the solution.”

Amy Maidenberg, resident and volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

With almost 6 million active supporters around the United States, Everytown for Gun Safety is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. The allied groups Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Students Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network come under the Everytown for Gun Safety umbrella.

Piedmont’s official proclamation of June 7, 2019 as Gun Violence Awareness Day (Photo credit: Sam Richards)

Many of those supporters, and others, took part in rallies and other public actions this past weekend related to National Gun Violence Awareness Day — many of them wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others, to emphasize the importance of human lives.  Several hundred of them from around the Bay Area marched across the Golden Gate Bridge Saturday, wearing orange, pleading for reformed gun safety laws in this country.

They wore orange to the City Council presentation, too. And though wearing a suit, Mayor Robert McBain made sure to wear an orange tie on this night.

The whole scene made Dando happy.

“Piedmont residents continue to step up and support effective strategies to reduce gun violence.”

Erin Dando, deputy national organizing director with Everytown for Gun Safety

“I don’t have total numbers on Piedmont participants for the bridge march, and likely won’t for several days, but my carpool was full with three Piedmont families represented.”


Contact Sam Richards at sam.richards4344@gmail.com

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