Roanoke, Virginia – The Roanoke City Council has unanimously endorsed a novel communication tool targeting the city’s youth as a measure to counteract gun violence.
The Royalty Affirmation, now the official mantra for Roanoke, is the fruition of a year-long initiative, as affirmed by the City Council’s unanimous vote.
“It is deeply distressing to acknowledge the increasing incidences of violence that have occurred in our streets over the past year,” lamented Fletcher Nichols, a seasoned educator.
Nichols, the author of the Royalty Affirmation, was inspired to create this initiative while interacting with youths during his work with gang violence prevention. His engagements were primarily with youths already entangled in the justice system.
“We often assume that incidents of gun violence are isolated events, but in reality, they represent the culmination of a lifelong journey,” Nichols explicated. “That journey either leads a young individual to wield a firearm or to become a victim of one.”
The Royalty Affirmation encourages children to verbalize their aspirations for success and respect, asserting their intrinsic value. Although Nichols acknowledges this as a modest measure of prevention, he is optimistic about its potential for significant impact.
Vice Mayor Joe Cobb corroborated the effectiveness of the initiative, stating, “When we learn to honor ourselves, it fosters a culture of mutual respect.”
Cobb highlighted the Royalty Affirmation as one facet of a broader strategy to counter the alarming increase in youth fatalities. The Council is also endorsing initiatives that involve community-engagement of school resource officers, the introduction of new neighborhood units in the Roanoke City Police Department, and collaborations with the Virginia State Police and the FBI to address outstanding warrants.
“The City Council is backing numerous unprecedented prevention efforts in the city of Roanoke,” Cobb articulated.
Nichols stressed the urgent need to address youth gun violence, envisioning the wasted potential of young lives lost to such violence.
In closing, Cobb urged any individuals with potential solutions to approach the City Council and contribute to the mission of eradicating gun violence among the city’s youth.
