National Gun Violence Awareness Day

More than 100,000 American men, women and children are shot every year.  In Wisconsin and across the country, gun violence has devastated family after family and terrorized whole communities.

“That is why on June 2nd, the second-annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day, we are joining with caring citizens all across the country in rising up and speaking out,” said Jeri Bonavia, executive director of WAVE Educational Fund.  “We are sending an urgent and powerful message: We can and we will end gun violence.”

In 2013, teenagers in Chicago asked classmates to honor their murdered friend, Hadiya Pendleton, by wearing her favorite color, orange. That simple action has grown into National Gun Violence Awareness Day, a day in which celebrities, elected officials and millions of Americans will be wearing orange and joining together at picnics, vigils and rallies to loudly and boldly demonstrate their steadfast commitment to ending the gun violence that kills and injures hundreds of Americans every day.

At night, buildings and signs across the country will be going orange, too — from the Empire State Building to Niagara Falls to the welcome sign in Las Vegas.  Here in Wisconsin, many businesses, hotels, museums, sporting venues and other places will help turn the night sky orange.

For a full list of events and speakers in Milwaukee, Madison and Appleton, as well as a list of the buildings and other places that will be turning orange, please see below:

Milwaukee

Time:
Thursday, June 2, 2016
12:00 PM -1:00 PM

Location:
O’Donnell Park
941 E Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Event:
WAVE and Moms Demand Action are hosting a National Gun Violence Awareness Day press conference and rally. Mayor Barrett will issue a proclamation recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Speakers:
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele
Senator Chris Larson
Representative Mandela Barnes
Khary Penebaker, personally affected by gun violence
WAVE Executive Director Jeri Bonavia
Wisconsin Chapter Lead for Moms Demand Action for Guns Sense In America

Buildings Turning Orange:
Marquette Interchange
Miller Park
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee County Airport (MKE Sign)
Mitchell Park Domes
Pfister Hotel
Potawatomi Casino
U.S. Bank Center
Wisconsin Gas Building
Bradley Center
833 E. Michigan Ave.
875 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Others

By WAVE Educational Fund

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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