On Friday, June 2, 2023, people will peacefully gather and/or take to social media wearing orange to bring attention to the approximate 120 people that die from gun violence each day in America. The day, National Gun Violence Awareness Day marks the start of a multi-day call to action across the country.
“National Gun Violence Awareness Day is an annual event that takes place on the first Friday in June,” explains Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action, the grassroots arm of Everytown. “It marks the beginning of Wear Orange Weekend.”
Why should people wear orange on June 2? Here, information on meaning behind the color and more.
What is Wear Orange Day?
While sometimes referred to as Wear Orange Day, National Gun Violence Awareness Day is an annual event that takes place on the first Friday in June, notes Ferrell-Zabala, and it marks the beginning of Wear Orange Weekend.
“Wear Orange is dedicated to honoring the lives of people in the United States affected by gun violence and elevating the voices of those demanding an end to gun violence,” notes Ferrell-Zabala. “In addition to hundreds of events organized by Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, a coalition of cultural influencers, elected officials, corporate brands, nonprofit partner organizations and a series of buildings and landmarks join advocates annually to honor Wear Orange.”
What is National Gun Violence Awareness Month?
In addition to National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend, some areas, such as New York and Washington D.C., officially recognize June as Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) have also introduced Congressional resolutions recognizing June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
How did Wear Orange Day start?
“On January 21, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week later, she was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago,” Ferrell-Zabala explains. “Soon after this tragedy, Hadiya’s childhood friends decided to commemorate her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.”
A little over two years later, on June 2, 2015, Wear Orange was officially born — on the day that Hadiya would have turned 18. The movement was spearheaded by renowned activist and anti-violence leader Erica Ford via her organization, Life Camp.
“Today, Wear Orange honors Hadiya and the more than 120 people shot and killed every day in the United States,” says Ferrell-Zabala, who adds that the day/weekend also acknowledges “the hundreds more who are wounded and the countless others who witness acts of gun violence.”
When is Wear Orange Day in 2023?
This year, National Gun Violence Awareness Day falls on Friday, June 2, 2023, followed by Wear Orange weekend, which goes from June 2-June 4.
How can families get involved in Wear Orange Weekend?
Ferrell-Zabala notes that there are many ways families with children can participate, including:
- Attending an event.
- Creating a wear orange image, which can be shared.
- Printing and displaying a poster.
- Using a coloring page.
- Reading a book (for parents).
- Reading a book (for kids).
“Additionally, we invite everyone to post on social media with #WearOrange on June 2, 2023, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, or attend events leading up to and throughout Wear Orange Weekend June 3-4,” she notes.
“So far, there are more than 300 #WearOrange events scheduled this year in cities and states across the country, featuring Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, other gun safety advocates, elected leaders, community partners and more,” says Ferrell-Zabala. “We will gather to honor the lives of those affected by gun violence, and connect people with ways they can help to end gun violence.”
Wear Orange has a tool for finding events in your area or you can text the word ORANGE to 644-33.
