Wearing orange in remembrance of gun violence survivors
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local group is taking action against gun violence and asking others to do the same. Volunteers from Moms Demand Action came together at the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Scranton for a clean-up event.
It is all part of the nationwide wear orange campaign, a weekend of awareness honoring victims and survivors of gun violence.
The group says events like this show how better, safer neighborhood design, like clearing overgrown areas, well-lit streets, and removing trash, can actually help prevent crime.
Crafters, artisans take over mall for Craft and Home Decor Show
'The end goal is to make the community safer, to make people feel safe in Scranton, to prevent gun violence, to prevent community violence, and to make our area some place that people are proud of,' Lackawanna County Moms Demand Action Group Lead Heather Davis said.
The wear orange movement started in 2013 after a Chicago teen was shot and killed.
Events like this one are happening across the country all weekend.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania State Police welcome kids for annual Camp Cadet
Camp Cadet, a summer camp hosted by the Pennsylvania State Police, kicked off Sunday afternoon. This camp is an experience that gives kids an opportunity for personal growth. One organizer told us that throughout the week, the kids will be challenged both physically and mentally. The Pennsylvania State Police have been hosting Camp Cadet for decades. Each June, dozens of kids between the ages of 12 and 15 arrive at camp not only to learn about law enforcement but also to learn about themselves. During the week-long camp, the staff pushes the cadets to be the best version of themselves. 'A lot of them will come in a little bit nervous, and by the end of the week, these kids don't want to go home. So they get the knowledge, the military knowledge, the law enforcement knowledge, but they also get to see what it's like for them to push themselves…to better themselves. It's a leadership camp. It's not a camp for bad kids. It's a camp to make good kids better,' said Trooper Cindy Schick, Troop E community service officer for PSP. All of the cadets have the same experience at camp, but not all of them are there for the same reason. 'Some of them they volunteer, they want to do it. And some of them are 'voluntold' by their parents. By the end of the week, I believe that every kid is glad that they completed it. They're proud of themselves, and that is our goal,' Trooper Schick said. To some of these kids, this is not just another summer camp. This is an experience that will prepare them for the future. 'I want to become a state trooper for my real job, so I especially want to come back. I get to meet a bunch of troopers, see how they would act. Especially how the actual academy would be for a real trooper,' said Blaze Gigler, a senior cadet. 'I was either going towards law enforcement or being in the Marines or some branch of the army. It was a wonderful experience for me…everyone else,' Caden Wright, another senior cadet, told us. And to those on the fence about the camp, the senior cadets said it's worth a shot 'It teaches you a lot about how life will work later in life. They don't really treat you like a kid. They treat you like you're growing up and take more responsibility. It's just a really great experience. It makes you think about how you treat people and how people treat you,' Wright went on to say. This week, the cadets will get a chance to see state police helicopters, K-9 units and the SWAT team. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘I thought we had more time': Third, final person indicted in Savannah teen's murder
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – After two young men were shot to death in 2023, the third and final person allegedly responsible for their deaths is now facing charges. Three men, all of whom were out on bond at the time, have been indicted for the Dec. 2023 shooting deaths of 16-year-old Semaj Floyd and 20-year-old Omarion Whitfield. Still, for the victims' families, the sorrow is still fresh. 'The hardest part was the day his mom called me and told me he was murdered,' Semaj Floyd's aunt Tiffany Reed, said. 'I didn't understand what she was saying because she didn't say he got shot. She was like, 'My baby is dead.'' WSAV reported that Vaquez Coleman, 19, and Harold Roberson, 20, were served arrest warrants in connection to the shooting deaths in October 2024. This May, Coleman, Roberson, and a third man, Joshua Reddick, were indicted. According to the Chatham County District Attorney's Office, all three were out on bond against the objection of the state at the time of the murders. Bond was granted by Judge Penny Freesman. Still, Reed doesn't harbor any hate for them. 'It's still unfortunate that their families have to go through this and see that your kid killed another kid,' she said. Floyd would've turned 18 this year and would've been graduating high school. 'I never thought that he would have passed away so early. I thought we had more time. I really did,' Reed said. She told WSAV gun violence has been an issue in Savannah her whole life. 'I always had a fear because he's a boy, a young boy living in Savannah, Georgia. I just always had a fear of him getting into the wrong stuff, even with the police or with gun violence, I always feared it, but I never knew it would happen,' Floyd's aunt said. 'I feel like there should be more youth challenges, more youth buildings for these young kids to do other things. They just pick up these guns, and they think that they're cool just because they have a gun.' This year in Savannah, there have been 118 non-domestic aggravated assaults with a gun, according to the Savannah Police Departments' latest crime reports. 'We are going to always keep his name alive,' Reed said. 'I don't want everybody to feel sorry for just my situation. I want them to relate because it could be your little brother, it could be your nephew.' A court date has not yet been set for the three men accused of felony murder. They were also indicted for aggravated assault and criminal attempt to commit a felony. WSAV will continue to follow this case. Stick with us as we learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sioux Falls Humane Society calls for help
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society is overflowing with dogs- more than 130. And now, the organization is asking for help. 2-year-old Stella is one of more than 130 dogs currently at the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. In a recent Facebook post, the shelter says that it is running out of room for dogs but it won't turn any animals away. Instead, the team here gets creative. Teen sentenced to 20 years for fentanyl death 'So we really need help with fostering. We have 35 animals ready to foster. Donations make a huge difference. So it gives us the ability to help medical care, you know, help feed the animals, and be able to shelter them. And so that is a huge need for us as well.' Jami Gates Grieve, Executive Director, said. To keep the organization running, the Humane Society relies heavily on donations and volunteers. They do everything from keeping the shelter clean to cuddling cats and dogs. 'So we have over 60 staff and we have several hundred volunteers. Us. And we couldn't do without the volunteers. They make a huge difference.' Grieve said. Just a month ago, the nonprofit also created a short-term foster program called 'Rescue Dog Recess.' This allows the dog a day away from the shelter to relax and hopefully get noticed in the community. 'We have a new program, Rescue Dog Resources. So that is a great way to start out where you can come, sign up to be a volunteer and then take the animal out and it's on like a little day trip.' Grieve explained. Whether it's a day trip, a donation or even adoption there are many ways to help animals like Stella. Sioux Falls Humane Society will be hosting an adoption event starting June 13th till the 20th with $50 off dogs 6+ months and older and $20 off cats 5+ and older. If you'd like to take a closer look at the dogs that are currently up for adoption, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
