June 28 Proclaimed As 'Freedom Of The Press Day' In Honor Of Slain Capital Gazette Journalists
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Gov. Larry Hogan is honoring the memories of five Capital Gazette employees who were killed in a mass shooting on June 28, 2018, by proclaiming the date as "Freedom of the Press Day."
Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters tragically died when a gunman opened fire inside the Capital Gazette building at 888 Bestgate in Annapolis.
"Two years ago today, five Capital Gazette employees—Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters—lost their lives to a heinous and unthinkable act of violence. I have once again proclaimed June 28 "Freedom of the Press Day" in their memory," Hogan tweeted.
The victims were remembered during a virtual symposium on Friday.
READ MORE: Capital Gazette Shooting
"We miss our friends and all we can do is honor them with the work that we think they would be proud of," said Selene San Felice, a co-worker at the Capital Gazette.
Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley called the mass shooting "an attack on free speech."
"Our city felt this loss deeply," Buckley said, "but for the wider world of journalism, the 2018 attack felt like another blow to the institution of newspapers."
A memorial that includes five pillars to honor the victims will be unveiled in Newman Park in June 2021.
"The Guardians of Free Speech" memorial, which will feature five pillars and the First Amendment carved in stone, is set to be unveiled on the three-year anniversary of the shooting.
