June 1st is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. It corresponds with the “Wear Orange Weekend” that is from June 2nd-4th. Wear Orange Weekend is a time to honor our lost loved ones and those that survived gun violence by wearing orange to raise awareness.
Wear Orange Weekend began with a life celebration for a 15 year old victim of gun violence, Hadiya Pendleton. This tradition began on what would have been her 18th birthday. Orange was chosen since it is the color hunters use for safety and to tell others not to shoot.
Mayor Homer Nicholson declared the following proclamation.
“Whereas, a national coalition of organizations has designated the first Friday in June as the National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend (accompanying weekend.) This began in 2015 to honor Hadiya Pendleton a teenager who marched in the presidential inaugural parade in 2013 and was tragically shot and killed just weeks later; and
Whereas, people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange (the color worn by hunters telling others not to shoot, and also a color that symbolizes the value of human life) in tribute to victims of gun violence and their loved ones; and
Whereas, there were 44,310 deaths from gun violence in 2022 and more than 9,800 people killed in gun violence so far in 2023 – which is an average of more than 114 deaths each day; and
Whereas, more than 1,300 teens (ages 12-17) were killed and nearly 3,800 injured in 2022. More than 300 children (ages 11 and younger) were killed and nearly 700 injured. Excluding suicides, those figures include homicides, accidental discharges and more; and
Whereas, nearly every American will know at least one victim of gun violence in their lifetime, while 3 million children are directly exposed to gun violence each year, resulting in death, injury and lasting trauma; and
Whereas, in Oklahoma, there are an average of 735 gun deaths per year, which means someone is killed with a gun every 12 hours; and
Whereas, June 2 thru June 4, 2023 is “Wear Orange Weekend” to raise awareness about gun violence and to honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors.
Now, therefore, I, Homer Nicholson, Mayor of the City of Ponca City, do hereby proclaim June 2, 2023 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Ponca City and encourage all citizens to wear orange and unite to end gun violence.”
Together, we can end gun violence. To learn more about Wear Orange Weekend and for gun safety resources, you can visit wearorange.org.
