The Falcon Heights City Council adopted a resolution on May 16 proclaiming July 6 as Restoration Day and July 7 as Unity Day in the city.
The proclamation will become a component of healing, grant respect to Philando Castile’s family and serve to improve community engagement within the city by its residents, businesses and guests, according to city administrator Sack Thongvanh.
Castile was shot and killed by Jeronimo Yanez, a St. Anthony police officer, after being pulled over on Larpenteur Avenue on July 6, 2016. Restoration Day aims to shift a day of tragedy and provide a redemptive focus of the two days by which all of us can benefit, Thongvanh wrote in the city newsletter.
“The first of the two days, Restoration Day, is more about taking personal action and steps to build or restore relationships. This could be in the form of meeting a neighbor, mending a strained friendship or relationship or even actively pursuing conversation with someone a person would not naturally interact [with]. Think of how on Earth Day individuals set aside time as a family or neighborhood to actively steward the land,” Thongvanh wrote. “Here we as a city will be acknowledging the importance of stewarding healthy relationships. The second day has a focus that demonstrates healing has begun, connectedness is taking place, and thus the city as a whole demonstrates a measure of cooperative growth in inclusion and engagement. This could be a day for simple parties on the block, or even citywide gatherings. These two days will be promoted through standard city communication tools that could also provide suggested topics for discussion, and activities.”
To find out more about the council’s actions, go to http://webstreaming.ctv15.org/viewe r.php?streamid=3002.
