‘Wear Orange’ concert set for Sunday
Lamont to speak at Riverside event held to remember, honor gun violence victims
GREENWICH — Gov. Ned Lamont will be attending a weekend event at a Riverside church designed to honor and remember victims of gun violence.
Lamont will speak for about 10 minutes at a “Wear Orange” concert organized by the Greenwich chapter of Moms Demand Action, according to organizers. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and the event starts at 3 p.m.
Beside the governor’s remarks, contemplative music and a personal expression about the impact of gun violence on a woman’s life will be on the schedule as the local chapter marks the national commemoration of deaths caused by guns this weekend.
About 700 events will take place around the nation this weekend to promote measures intended to reduce gun fatalities, and 12 will be held in Connecticut, including the one in Greenwich. The anti-violence organization is encouraging residents to wear orange over the weekend, the color chosen by the group to highlight their concerns about safety and security.
The free concert at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside will also feature remarks by Tara Donnelly Gottlieb, whose parents were killed in a robbery at their jewelry store in Fairfield in 2005.
“We’re doing this to raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives that have been touched by gun violence. The mood is going to be reflective, but also reaffirming our determination to do what we can to reduce gun violence in our community,” said Jen Barro, an organizer with Moms Demand Action.
“We’re doing this to raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives that have been touched by gun violence.” Jen Barro, Moms Demand Action organizer
Gottlieb will talk about what it’s like to be devastated by violence caused by guns. “She’s the voice of a survivor. It brings the message home, about how this affects all of us,” said Barro.
The Hilltop Music Collective, a chamber ensemble of professional musicians, will perform on the English horn, flute, violin, guitar and oboe. Refreshments will be served.
Friday, June 7, is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and the “Wear Orange” weekend will follow.
The Sunday concert, which is free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by the YWCA Domestic Violence Services. Books will also be sold on site through the Christ Church Bookstore. The event will take place at the lower-level of the church at 4 Riverside Ave.
The anti-violence organization is promoting educational and legislative initiatives to reduce gun-related deaths and injuries.
The wear-orange campaign began after the shooting death of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old who performed at President Barrack Obama’s inauguration, in 2013. Her friends wore the color in her honor in subsequent demonstrations against gun violence.
About 96 Americans die every day due to guns.
For more information on the event, visit https://act.everytown.org/event/ wear-orange-2019/22783/signup/.