Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren is working with the faith community on a series of events that will serve as conversation starters on the topic of gun violence.
The mayor has proclaimed June as Gun Violence Awareness Month in Rochester.
She says the city is joining a national movement to honor Hidiya Pendleton, a 15 year old Chicago girl who was shot and killed one week after marching in President Obama's second inaugural parade.
Warren says they want to have a month-long community conversation on this issue.
"We need to figure out a way to help those who are eager to pick up a weapon and to fire it understand that you're trying to end a life. You're not just ending this person's life, you're impacting their entire family," she said. "This culture of violence, this reliance on guns to settle disputes, has to end."
Warren made the announcement at the site of a former Wegmans on West Avenue in Rochester where her grandfather was shot and wounded in 1984.
On Thursday night, Warren attended a gun violence awareness rally, being held at the Inner Faith Gospel Tabernacle Church on York Street.
Here’s more from Mayor Warren on the proclamation: