PASADENA, Calif.—At their May 22 meeting, Pasadena City Council will issue a proclamation declaring June 2, 2023, National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Pasadena. This day honors and remembers victims and survivors of gun violence and supports efforts to prevent future gun violence. The public is encouraged to watch the council meeting online or on KPAS TV.
The proclamation will be received by Day One, a community-based nonprofit organization with a 30-year history of providing effective, high quality and culturally sensitive public health education; empowering youth; and igniting change in the San Gabriel Valley. The proclamation reads that gun violence “touches every segment of our society and impacts people of all ages; it increases the probability of death in incidents of domestic violence; raises the likelihood of fatalities by those who intend to injure others, and among those who attempt suicide; it places children and young people at increased risk of physical harm and injury; and disproportionately affects communities of color.” The proclamation concludes by urging all citizens, businesses and organizations to work collaboratively to reduce gun violence in our community.
National Gun Violence Awareness Day kicks off Wear Orange Weekend, June 2-4. This event is held annually in honor of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old who was shot and killed in Chicago in 2013, just one week after performing at President Obama’s second inauguration parade. Soon after this tragedy, Hadiya’s friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves from others.
The City of Pasadena encourages community members to wear orange June 2-4 in support of the gun violence prevention movement and to share photos on social media using the hashtag #WearOrange.
Pasadena police officers will wear orange ribbons on Friday, June 2, and “I wear orange because _____” signs will be available at community centers for visitors to complete. Orange ribbons will also be available at community centers while supplies last.
Additional Wear Orange Weekend Events:
DO #WearOrange Selfie Challenge, presented by Day One
Friday, June 2
Pasadena youth, families and community members are invited to share selfies on social media wearing orange in solidarity against gun violence. Tag @day1do and @CityOfPasadena and use hashtags: #WearOrange #Day1DO #OrangeDena
Orange You Ready for Gun Control?!
Friday, June 2 • 4-6 p.m. • 175 N. Euclid Ave.
Join Day One, friends and neighbors for an afternoon of community, conversation and orange sherbet. Conversation will focus on gun control and how Pasadenans can work together to keep youth and communities safe.