Portland, communities around the U.S. “Wear Orange” to end gun violence

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This year's Wear Orange activities included a community block party with roughly 300 community members on Sunday, June 7 from 12-3 p.m. on SE Mill Street by Lincoln Park and David Douglas High School.

The party involved the collaboration of multiple community organizations and partners that showed up to table at the event and provide key resources and information to prevent gun violence. Participating organizations included:

• Dream Big City;
• Mom's Demand Action;
• Community Services Network;
• Multnomah County; and
• Portland Public Schools Violence Prevention Team.

The event featured fun family activities, including: a skatepark, basketball hoop, lawn games, face painting, multiple arts and crafts tables, a DJ, and live musical instruction for youth. Food was also provided to all attendees from Nachaeux food truck, as well as hot dogs from Dream Big City.

Also in recognition of Wear Orange, orange lights illuminated the Morrison Bridge, Oregon Convention Center, and Moda Center.

Earlier in the week, Portland City Council received a proclamation declaring June as Gun Violence Awareness Month at Tuesday's Community and Public Safety Committee meeting.

About Wear Orange

Wear Orange is a national movement held every first weekend of June to honor survivors of gun violence, remember lives lost, and raise awareness about the impact of gun violence in communities across the country. Communities nationwide come together through events, advocacy, and acts of remembrance to promote safety, healing, and connection.

Orange is worn in honor of Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teenager who was shot and killed in 2013. Friends and classmates chose orange because hunters wear the color for safety and visibility. Today, orange has become a national symbol of gun violence awareness and a call to value every life.

Questions?

For more information, please contact the Portland Office of Violence Prevention: [email protected]