A Campuswide Moment of Reflection will begin at noon Wednesday (Feb. 1), on the Memorial Union’s South Patio, for the victims of gun violence and police violence across the nation this past month.

“We think it could be helpful to offer an opportunity to be in community with one another, breathe, reflect and acknowledge the heaviness of the collective loss and trauma from the death and violence we have experienced recently,” said Renetta Garrison Tull, vice chancellor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Pablo Reguerín, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, the organizers. 

“If unable to join us in person, we encourage you to join in, wherever you may be, for a minute of silence at 12:10 p.m., or as soon as you can during your day.”

Student Affairs said the Rev. Quentisha Davis Wiles will facilitate the program, which will include two student speakers, both from the ASUCD: Celene Aridin, external affairs vice president, and Keven Zhou, international student representative.

Student Health and Counseling Services will provide onsite counseling services, and Aggie Mental Health and the ASUCD Mental Health Initiative will share well-being resources. Also, the Craft Center will set up place where people can write their thoughts on paper links that will be connected to make a chain.

Other resources

• Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) — Confidential services for all UC Davis and UC Davis Health faculty, staff and families (530-752-2727)
• Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) — Confidential services for students, and consultation and crisis response for employees, students and parents (530-752-0871).
• Aggie Mental Health (for students)
• “I Need Help” (urgent)
  • Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (options in Davis) if you are an immediate danger to yourself or others or if you are in need of immediate medical attention.
  • Text RELATE to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
  • Call or text 988 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline)
  • Call 530-752-0871 for a crisis consultation with Student Health and Counseling Services during business hours, by calling 530-752-0871 or coming in for acute care at the Student Health and Wellness Center, off La Rue Road across from the Activities and Recreation Center.
• ASUCD Mental Health Initiative

The toll

Wednesday’s Moment of Reflection comes after a horrific month of violence and death. The Gun Violence Archive this month has recorded the following in California alone:

• Six people shot dead in Goshen, Tulare County
• Twelve killed (including the gunman) and nine injured in Monterey Park, Los Angeles County
• Seven killed and one injured in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County
• One killed and four injured in Oakland
• Three killed and two injured in Beverly Hills

The archive also recorded mass shootings in January in Illinois, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and South Carolina.

The nation is also reeling from the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis, Tennessee, police, Jan. 7. The release of video footage last Friday (Jan. 27) prompted statements from campus leaders, Yolo County law enforcement and the mayor of Davis.