Issued by Mayor Stephen C. N. Kepley, the proclamation commemorates the lives lost during the 1994 atrocities in Rwanda and calls on residents of Kentwood and the wider West Michigan community to reflect on the lessons of the past.
“I urge all citizens of Kentwood and West Michigan to learn from the past so that these types of atrocities may never take place in the world again,” the mayor stated.
The proclamation recalls that between April 7 and July 19, 1994, Rwanda experienced a coordinated campaign of mass violence in which more than a million Tutsi men, women, and children were killed in approximately 100 days. It also highlights the widespread sexual violence committed against Tutsi women during the genocide.
Recognised by the United Nations as the Genocide Against the Tutsi, the atrocity remains one of the most devastating chapters in modern history. The proclamation further acknowledges that the United States, and Kentwood in particular, has become home to survivors who have since rebuilt their lives as American citizens.
By designating April 7 as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the city aims to honour victims and encourage education to prevent future atrocities.
Community leaders and genocide survivors welcomed the move as an important step in preserving historical truth and promoting awareness.
Marcel Mushyindashyaka, President of IBUKA USA, emphasised the broader significance of such recognition.
“This proclamation is deeply significant,” he said. “It affirms the truth of our history and honours the dignity of the victims. Public recognition by local and state institutions strengthens remembrance, counters genocide denial, and reinforces our collective responsibility to ensure that such crimes never happen again, anywhere in the world.”
Similarly, Caleb Uwagaba, President of the Rwandan community in Kentwood, said the proclamation reflects values that go beyond a single city.
“It shows solidarity with those who lost their lives and with survivors who continue to heal,” he said. “It also reminds us that remembrance must go hand in hand with unity, reconciliation, and advocacy for humanity. The lessons of 1994 are not only for Rwanda, they are for the world.”
Kentwood’s recognition follows similar actions in other parts of the United States. In 2025, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a proclamation recognising the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, signalling growing awareness and acknowledgement at the state and local levels.
City officials say the Kentwood proclamation serves not only as a tribute to victims and survivors but also as a call to action, urging continued education, remembrance, and a shared commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.
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