"We want our children to feel safe": Mom's Demand Action host 2nd annual Wear Orange event to stop gun violence
The second annual Wear Orange Community Gathering kicks off at noon on Friday, June 7. The second annual Wear Orange Community Gathering, hosted by Toledo's Mom's Demand Action, aims to raise awareness and support for gun violence survivors. The event, which began in 2013, will commemorate gun violence victims and present a proclamation marking June 7 as the official Gun Violence Awareness Day. Peace and Healing Commons Executive Director Tom Douglas said the park is a communal area that was created by city leaders, residents, and local gang members to create a space of peace and healing. The group hopes to invest two million dollars into repurposing this park and is working with local organizations to identify resources and information to reduce gun violence.
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The second annual Wear Orange Community Gathering kicks off at noon on Friday, June 7.
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"Because we want to be safe, we want our children to feel safe, and not be exposed to gun violence. I mean it's now the number one cause of childhood death," said Donna Malone, leader with Toledo's Mom's Demand Action.
"They can be part of the solution to a drastic problem. It's not that they have to donate any money, which would be great, but they don't have to. This is all about awareness and support for the survivors," said Malone.
Starting at noon, gun violence victims will be remembered and gun violence survivors will speak on their own experiences. City and state leaders will also be in attendance to present a proclamation that marks June 7 as the official Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Peace and Healing Commons Executive Director Tom Douglas said this is exactly why they lease the space. He said the city park is a communal area, who's current design was created by city leaders, residents, and even local gang members.
He also said people of all backgrounds sat down and shared ideas to create the space of peace and healing and he hopes that inspires change beyond the park.
"This was the first-time representatives of various gangs were in the same room together. This was back in March of 2021. From that, the plans for it have been developed. So now, we're into the fundraising aspects. We plan to invest two million dollars into this project here. repurposing this city park," said Douglas.
Mom's Demand Action said 43,000 Americans are killed by guns and approximately 76,000 more people are shot and wounded each year in the U.S.
Wear Orange is a national movement that began in 2013 after 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed on a Chicago playground. Every year in June, thousands of people across the county wear the color to honor Hadiya and other gun violence victims.
Leaders with Mom's Demand Action said the Wear Orange gathering is just one way to get involved and they have made many partnerships in hopes of getting the right resources and information out to the community.
"The local organizations we have been working with are peace and healing commission, and through them we are just starting to work with Lutheran Social Services, Sisters 4 Unity, and the Multifaith Coalition to reduce gun violence. We have also worked with the Mayor's Office on Neighborhood Safety and Engagement," expressed Malone.