Ohio gun safety advocates to host ‘Wear Orange’ events

As part of Wear Orange Weekend and National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 2, volunteers with the Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action, in partnership with the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, will host a Wear Orange event to honor the lives of those affected by gun violence and elevate gun violence prevention efforts nationwide, according to a news release.

The Ohio event will include planting a memorial tree to remember those who have been killed in gun violence and as a call to action.

Wear Orange originated on June 2, 2015, what would have been Hadiya Pendleton’s 18th birthday, according to the release.

It began with teenagers in Chicago, who wanted to honor their friend Hadiya, after she was shot and killed.

Today, Wear Orange honors Hadiya and the more than 120 people who are shot and killed every day in America, as well as the hundreds more who are wounded and the countless others who witness acts of gun violence, according to the release.

Wear Orange brings together survivors, activists and communities all over America to demand change, the release said.

The Ohio event will include planting a memorial tree, speaking the names of those taken in gun violence in Lorain County and uplifting music, the release said.

At 5 p.m., June 2, the scheduled speakers include Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley; Lorain County Public Health Commissioner Mark Adams; Bishop Charles Howard, whose son was shot and killed in 2009; and Laura Irvin of the Ohio Chapter of Moms Demand Action.

It will take place at Veterans Memorial Park, at the corner of West Erie Avenue and Washington Street, and God’s Kngdom Center, 423 Washington Ave.

Another event starts at noon, June 3, with Community Peace Builders at the northwest corner of College and Main streets in Oberlin.

United Church of Christ Vermilion, 990 State St. in Vermilion, will host an event at 10:30 a.m., June 4; and Ely Square, 131 Court St. in downtown Elyria, will host an event at 4 p.m., June 4.

For more information, contact at laura.irvin1959@att.net.