Royal Oak Officials Vote To Support March For Our Lives

At Monday’s City Commission meeting, Royal Oak commissioners adopted a resolution supporting March for Our Lives. The march against gun violence, planned in the wake of the Parkland school shooting, takes place March 24. With four “ayes,” one “nay” and an abstention, the measure passed 4-1-1. Mayor Michael Fournier, Mayor Pro Tem Sharlan Douglas and Commissioners Melanie Macey and Patricia Paruch voted in favor of the resolution, while Commissioner Randy LeVasseur voted against and Commissioner Kim Gibbs abstained.

A threat against Royal Oak Middle School was investigated by police and dismissed over the weekend. Monday, Wayne-Westland Schools closed for the day and canceled Tuesday classes after a threat on social media, and bullets were found in public areas of schools in Berkley and St. Clair Shores in the last five days. March for Our Lives will take place March 24 in Washington D.C. Organized in part by survivors of the Parkland attack, the march is aimed at getting lawmakers to pass legislation to help end America’s epidemic of mass shootings.

The Royal Oak resolution, in part, reads:

Whereas, students from around the country (and the world) will unite on March 24, 2018 to show
their resolve and demand action from legislators for comprehensive gun control; and

Whereas, we believe all children deserve safe and healthy environments to pursue their
education and that it is our responsibility to provide them with this most basic necessity; and

Whereas, we believe children in Royal Oak are no less at risk than anywhere else in the country.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, the City of Royal Oak stands with the students and children of
our community by demanding that our state and federal elected officials enact sensible gun
control policies; and

Be it further resolved, the City of Royal Oak invites all residents to join in showing support on
March 24, 2018 as we all come together for our children and their future and join them in the
March for Our Lives.

Royal Oak City Commission meets at 7:30 p.m. on select Mondays in Room 315 at City Hall, 211 S. Williams St. The next scheduled meeting is March 12. The city maintains its full 2018 city commission meeting schedule online.