Friday Reminder: Wear Orange

The City of Pasadena will host two events on June 2 to heighten public awareness of gun violence.

First community members are invited to participate in the #WearOrange Selfie Challenge. Local residents are being asked to share selfies on social media wearing orange in solidarity against gun violence and tag @day1do and @CityOfPasadena and use the hashtags #WearOrange #Day1DO and #OrangeDena.

Also from 4 to 6 p.m. on June 2 at 175 N. Euclid Ave., local residents can take part in a conversation on gun control and how Pasadenans can work together to keep youth and the community safe.

Wearing orange to commemorate gun violence awareness day began after Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago just one week after she marched in President Barack Obama’s second inaugural parade. Pendleton’s friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.

Wear Orange is now observed every June when people wear orange to honor Hadiya and the more than 40,000 people who are killed with guns and approximately 85,000 who are shot and wounded every year, according to the Wear Orange website.

At its May 22 meeting, Pasadena City Council issued a proclamation declaring June 2 National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Pasadena.

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.