Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley Declares April 7 as International Day of Reflection on 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi

KENTWOOD, MICHIGAN — In a significant act of remembrance, the City of Kentwood has officially proclaimed April 7, 2026, as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, honoring the memory of more than one million innocent lives lost during one of the darkest chapters in modern history.

The proclamation, issued by Mayor Stephen C.N. Kepley, stands as a powerful public recognition of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a tragedy that unfolded in Rwanda between April 7 and July 19, 1994, when extremist forces carried out a systematic campaign of extermination targeting the Tutsi population and those who opposed the genocide.

A Statement of Memory and Moral Responsibility

In the official proclamation, the City of Kentwood acknowledged that the United States has welcomed many immigrants and survivors fleeing horrific violence and crimes against humanity. The document specifically recognizes the genocide in Rwanda as an atrocity formally acknowledged by the United Nations as the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The proclamation also highlights the scale and brutality of the genocide, noting that as many as one million or more Tutsi men, women, and children were murdered in approximately 100 days. It further recognizes the widespread sexual violence committed against Tutsi women during the genocide, where hundreds of thousands were subjected to horrific abuse.

By issuing this proclamation, Kentwood is not only honoring the victims and survivors but also affirming a commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never forgotten or repeated.

Mayor Kepley Calls on Community to Reflect

Mayor Kepley officially declared that Tuesday, April 7, 2026, will be recognized in Kentwood as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The proclamation calls on the people of Kentwood and the wider West Michigan community to reflect on the lessons of history and to stand against hatred, ethnic violence, genocide ideology, and all forms of dehumanization.

The mayor also urged residents to learn from the past so that such crimes may never take place again anywhere in the world.

Deeply Significant for Rwandan Community

For many Rwandans and friends of Rwanda living in the United States, this recognition carries deep emotional and historical significance. It affirms that the suffering endured during the genocide is neither forgotten nor denied and that local communities in America are willing to stand with survivors in truth and remembrance.

The proclamation also acknowledges that cities like Kentwood have become home to genocide survivors who have rebuilt their lives and contributed meaningfully to American society. For those families, public recognition such as this is more than symbolic—it is an act of dignity, justice, and respect.

Marcel Mushyindashyaka, President of IBUKA USA, a survivors association, emphasized that such recognition plays a critical role in preserving memory and advancing efforts to prevent future atrocities.

"This proclamation is deeply significant," he said. "It affirms the truth of our history and honors 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."

Caleb Uwagaba, President of the Rwandan community in Kentwood, said the recognition reflects values that extend beyond a single city.

"It shows solidarity with those who lost their lives and with survivors who continue to heal. 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."

Why This Matters

The recognition of April 7 by an American city is important because remembrance is a critical part of genocide prevention. Public acknowledgment helps educate future generations, confront denial, and preserve the truth about what happened in Rwanda in 1994.

At a time when misinformation, genocide denial, and historical distortion continue to threaten public understanding, official acts like this one serve as a reminder that memory must be protected and truth must be upheld.

The City of Kentwood's proclamation sends a strong message that the memory of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi matters not only in Rwanda, but around the world.

A Historic Example of Local Leadership

This proclamation reflects how local governments can play an important role in promoting historical awareness, human dignity, and global solidarity. While national and international institutions have long recognized April 7 as a solemn day of remembrance, Kentwood's action shows that cities and communities also have the power to preserve truth and honor those who suffered.

As the world marks another year of remembrance, Kentwood's decision stands as a meaningful example of leadership rooted in compassion, historical responsibility, and a commitment to Never Again.

The official proclamation by the City of Kentwood declaring April 7 as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda is a powerful and historic moment in the United States. It honors the memory of the victims, recognizes the resilience of survivors, and calls on the public to reject hatred and violence in all forms.

As communities across the globe continue to remember the victims of the genocide, Kentwood's voice joins a growing international chorus demanding remembrance, truth, and humanity.

For survivors, families, and all those committed to justice and remembrance, this proclamation is not only a tribute to the past—it is a promise to the future.