The City of Pasadena is poised to mark an important date in the calendar, with the Pasadena City Council set to declare June 6 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day." According to an announcement on the city's official website, this declaration is part of an effort to honor the victims and survivors of gun violence and to endorse initiatives aimed at preventing future tragedies linked to firearms.
This new observance in Pasadena aligns with the wider "Wear Orange Weekend," running from June 6-8, honoring Hadiya Pendleton, a young victim tragically lost to gun violence. The city's website details that Pendleton was just 15 when shot and killed in Chicago, a mere week after she performed at President Obama's second inauguration parade in 2013. In the wake of her death, her friends wore orange, the same hue hunters wear in the woods for safety, to remember her, which has since evolved into a broader movement.
In a showing of support, city employees, including Pasadena police officers, will don orange ribbons on Friday, June 6. A banner will be presented at Robinson Park Recreation Center, inviting people to inscribe the names of loved ones lost to gun violence. Additionally, local community centers are set to distribute free orange ribbons, stickers, and informational material on the day, while supplies last.
Further engaging the community, Day One, a seasoned nonprofit dedicated to public health education and youth empowerment, is slated to manage a "Safe Home" session. During which, they will disseminate gun safety locks and conduct dialogues about gun safety best practices as a part of the monthly Dena Home Market on Sunday, June 1. The city's announcement lists the meeting points for the public to obtain these resources at designated community centers located throughout Pasadena.
Local residents are encouraged to participate in the Wear Orange campaign by donning something in the distinct color and sharing their involvement via social media using the hashtag #WearOrange.
