ORDER-2018-29 : Proclaiming the month of October 2017 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Transcript (~8 min @ 22:13)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 22:12 Speaker 1: communications from his honor the mayor please order number 2018-29 proclaiming the month of October 2017 as domestic violence awareness month Alderman

▶ 22:22 Gail Infurna: Inferno thank you I asked for immediate consideration

▶ 22:24 Speaker 10: Alderman Inferno asks for immediate consideration of order 2018-29 is there an objection to immediate consideration there is not motion to suspend the

▶ 22:37 Speaker 10: applicable rules Alderman Inferno moves to suspend the rules in order to present and read the proclamation the motion is seconded by Alderman Mortimer on the motion to suspend the rules all those in favor aye anyone opposed motion passes the rules are suspended Alderman you may approach the podium thank you and I'm

▶ 22:52 Gail Infurna: gonna ask Alderman Mike Zwirko to also join me as he is also on the walk

▶ 23:05 Gail Infurna: committee and I'd like to invite Rebecca Mooney as the executive director and any of the people on her board and the walk committee to come on surround us talk guys in the back so

▶ 23:47 Michael P. Zwirko: this marks the 22nd year in which the mellows alliance against violence will be commencing their annual vigil and candlelight walk to remember the victims of the past year in domestic violence you know it's a momentous occasion to be here to recognize the work that the mellows Alliance Against Violence does. However, just last week in a neighboring community, we were sorely reminded of the tragedies that can occur in the area of domestic violence. Maeve does yeoman's work with outreach support groups and other components of the community

▶ 24:31 Michael P. Zwirko: to hope to pull back the issue that affects so many families when these crimes are committed generally, tragically, and everything they do throughout the year, whether it be a coffee house for teen dating violence or anti-bullying in the schools, it remains a resource for the community and surrounding towns. So thank you for being here this evening. We appreciate it. Therefore, we do have a proclamation this evening, which Gail and I will read. Whereas domestic violence is one of the most critical and far-reaching issues of our time, affecting individuals of every age, culture, class, gender, race, and religion, and whereas Whereas according to the U.S. Department of Justice, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44. Every 21 days, a woman is killed by domestic violence, and more than 3 million children witness acts of domestic violence each year. And whereas since last October, 15 people have died in Massachusetts as a result of domestic violence, including 12 women and 3 men.

▶ 25:26 Gail Infurna: And whereas for the past 22 years, the Melrose Alliance Against Violence, in conjunction with the Police Department and the Melrose Public Schools has taken important steps to reduce domestic violence in our community through education, outreach and referral services, as well as programs to prevent violence, such as mentoring, teen dating, violence and bullying prevention. Now, therefore, Robert J. Dolan, Mayor of the City of Melrose, Massachusetts, and the Melrose Board of Aldermen do hereby proclaim this month of October 2017 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and recognizes the accomplishments of the Melrose Alliance Against Violence on their on its 22nd year anniversary thank you so much Rebecca for all that you're doing for all that the board and the committee

▶ 26:25 Speaker 1: does thank you so much for having us joining me here tonight our members of our board of directors our walk planning committee our student action board and our staff and I think it's really fitting because the theme of our walk this year is you are not alone our message to any victim of bullying teen dating abuse or domestic violence is that in this community if you reach out for help you will find understanding and support our 22nd annual walk and candlelight vigil is Sunday October 22nd at 4 o'clock beginning and ending at the middle school and we invite each one of you and all the folks watching at home to join us. It's a family-friendly event with music, a community art project, face painting, and refreshments at the end. And you can find more information about it on our website, maav.org. I also want to mention that we will be honoring 19, not 15 victims. Since I provided the number to the mayor's office a few weeks ago, four more people have been added to the list, including a six-year-old boy in Foxboro and as Mike mentioned Vanessa McCormick a young mother from Revere who taught second grade in the Lynn public schools turns out she also had some friends here in Melrose so it hits very close to home during these difficult times when it's easy to feel helpless the walk is an opportunity to come together as a community to speak out against domestic violence and through the simple act of showing up and walking together demonstrate to all who are struggling that you are not alone we hope you will join us and we thank you so much for your support thank you

▶ 28:11 Monica C. Medeiros: thank you motion for a two-minute recess second

▶ 28:37 Speaker 1: Thank you so much.

▶ 29:32 Speaker 11: Could somebody pull that door closed, please?

▶ 29:41 Speaker 6: Dr. Shea.

▶ 29:46 Gail Infurna: Motion to place on file.

▶ 29:49 Speaker 10: Second. Okay, board's back from recess. Alderman Inferno moves to place this proclamation on file. Motion is seconded by Alderman Mortimer. On the motion, is there any discussion? All those in favor?