Vice President Kamala Harris Marked #WearOrange in Springfield, Virginia Today with Moms Demand Action Executive Director, Angela Ferrell-Zabala
Events Being Held Across The Country This Weekend, Contact [email protected] For Details
WASHINGTON — Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, released the following statements applauding President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for illuminating the White House in orange this evening in honor of today’s National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange weekend.
“It’s no surprise that President Biden, who is the strongest gun safety President in history, is lighting the White House orange in recognition of National Gun Violence Prevention Day,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Let this White House lighting be a reminder to Washington lawmakers that the vast majority of Americans want laws and actions to keep our communities safe from gun violence, not just thoughts and prayers.”
“This administration is once again sending a strong message that we must do everything in our power to end gun violence. This uniquely American epidemic continues to take the lives of our children and our community members every day, and we are grateful to see the White House shining orange tonight in their honor,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action.
This year, people from across the country are joining together and wearing orange to honor victims and survivors of gun violence, and demand a future free from gun violence. So far, more than 400 hundred Wear Orange events have taken place or have been scheduled in 50 states and Washington D.C. They feature Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, other gun safety advocates, elected leaders, community partners and more who will gather to honor the lives of those affected by gun violence, connect people with ways they can help to end gun violence in their communities, and call on lawmakers to take meaningful action to combat gun violence. Earlier today, Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside Moms Demand Action’s Angela Ferrell-Zabala, and Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, participated in a kickoff event at a high school in Springfield, Virginia. Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts participated in a Washington Mystics’ Wear Orange Youth Basketball Clinic.
In addition to events, a coalition of cultural influencers, elected officials, athletes and sports teams, corporate brands, nonprofit partner organizations and a series of buildings and landmarks will join advocates to honor the ninth Annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange campaign. Members of the coalition, as well as thousands of volunteers across the country, will take action throughout Wear Orange Weekend, June 2-4, dedicated to honoring the lives taken and forever changed by gun violence, and demanding action to stop the crisis.
Wear Orange originated on June 2, 2015—what would have been Hadiya Pendleton’s 18th birthday. It began with teenagers who wanted to honor their friend, Hadiya, after she was shot and killed in a park on the south side of Chicago.
For more details about events happening Wear Orange Weekend, please contact [email protected].
More information about Wear Orange is available at WearOrange.org.
