Contact: Ally Salvaria, Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (818) 726-6151
For Immediate Release
L.A. Unified Board of Education Unanimously Approves Resolution Considering New Advocacy or Divestment Strategies to Condemn Gun Violence
LOS ANGELES, CA – Feb. 7, 2023 – The L.A. Unified Board of Education voted today to approve Board Member Nick Melvoin’s resolution aimed at exploring new avenues to curtail the pervasive epidemic of gun violence nationwide. Possible strategies include advocating for legislation that aims to curtail gun violence through new requirements or safety measures, and reviewing procurement and financial policies to identify any potential opportunities that discourage gun sales, such as divestment from gun retailers.
“We cannot stand idly by while children are dying and families are suffering from the unrelenting horror of gun violence in this country,” said Board Member Melvoin. “While a School Board can’t legislate on gun control, I want to make sure the District is doing everything possible—including using our purchasing power—to fight back against this epidemic.”
The resolution, cosponsored by Board President Jackie Goldberg, Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson, and Board Members Dr. George McKenna, Dr. Rocío Rivas, and Tanya Ortiz Franklin, also calls for the annual commemoration of the first Friday in June as National Gun Violence Awareness and Wear Orange Day.
“Gun violence is a pernicious epidemic within the United States and has taken the lives of far too many young people and students,” said Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “Los Angeles Unified is committed to strengthening gun safety measures on our campuses to ensure the classroom is a safe space for learning. Students and staff deserve to come onto our campuses free from the anxiety and fear of violence.”
“There is no excuse for inaction in the face of the ongoing threat that gun violence presents to students across the nation. Today we reiterate our demands for policies that keep our communities safe,” said Board President Goldberg. “We owe it to our children to insist that automatic rifles, automatic handguns and multi-bullet cartridges are outlawed nationwide.”
“We need not feel powerless about the persistent impact of gun violence in our communities,” said Board Vice President Schmerelson. “As an education community, we can be part of ending gun violence acting through our legislative priorities, our procurement policies, our curriculum and our community awareness campaigns."
“School safety and student achievement top my list of priorities as an educator,” said Board Member Dr. McKenna. “We have an obligation to protect our students while they are in our care. I join in the effort to collaborate with our lawmakers to pursue common sense gun laws that will keep our students, families and communities safe from this preventable form of violence.”
“We must reaffirm our commitment to ending gun violence and back that up with concrete reforms that protect our students and families, particularly communities of color that are disproportionately affected,” said Board Member Dr. Rivas.
“Too many of our students are living with the trauma of being exposed to gun violence—whether it's the fear of mass shootings, the community violence they witness in their neighborhood, or the friends and family members they've lost,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez. “We demand the common-sense gun reform our students deserve so that they may live and learn free from the threat of senseless gun violence.”
“As the second largest school district in the country, we have a special responsibility to model educational and proactive practices to prevent gun violence in our communities, schools and homes to keep our scholars and families safe,” said Board Member Oritz Franklin. “I am proud to support this resolution to counteract the culture of gun violence in this country, reflect on and refine our own investments, and call on policymakers to pass and implement stronger gun safety measures.”
Nick Melvoin is proud to serve the dynamic communities of District 4 as Vice President of the LA Unified Board of Education. Nick’s election to the Board in May of 2017 follows a career fighting for our city’s schoolchildren as a teacher, attorney, and community advocate. He believes that together, with the right leadership, we can ensure that every student in Los Angeles has the opportunity to succeed. Board District 4 includes the communities of Brentwood, Del Rey, Encino, Hancock Park, Hollywood, Mar Vista, Marina Del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Reseda, Tarzana, Topanga, Westchester, West Hollywood, Westwood, Woodland Hills, and Venice.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Ally Salvaria at 818-726-6151 or email at [email protected].