Resolution 170052

..Title Recognizing the efforts of the Philadelphia Anti-Violence Coalition and declaring February 2017 as a "Month of Peace" in the City of Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, On the morning of January 18, 2017, members and supporters of the Philadelphia Anti-Violence Coalition (PAVC) gathered in City Council's Caucus Room to announce February as a "Month of Peace"; and WHEREAS, At the time of the announcement, it was noted that less than three weeks into the new year, there had already been 18 gun-related deaths and 58 shooting incidents in the City of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, PAVC is a citywide group of concerned citizen-activists and community organizations working together to reduce violent incidents in our great City, particularly those in which firearms are involved; and WHEREAS, PAVC's official mission is to effectively facilitate collaboration among diverse grassroots organizations to empower the community to increase the peace in our neighborhoods through activism, education, prevention/intervention programs and effective policy advocacy; and WHEREAS, In conjunction with the Month of Peace announcement, PAVC released a ten-point program designed to accomplish this mission, which includes creating crisis intervention resources, connecting people to vital services, encouraging job-creating economic development, partnering with faith-based institutions, pushing for common sense gun safety legislation, and promoting the unity message "Live and Let Live"; and WHEREAS, PAVC also strongly endorses existing efforts aimed toward the strengthening of public and higher education, youth mentorship, and leadership development; and WHEREAS, Gun-related deaths in the City of Philadelphia have decreased every year since 2006; it is our profound hope that the efforts of PAVC further hasten this decline; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize the efforts of the Philadelphia Anti-Violence Coalition and declare February 2017 a "Month of Peace" in the City of Philadelphia. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Philadelphia Anti-Violence Coalition, evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body. ..End