Latest news with #WearOrange
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
'Wear Orange Weekend:' Milwaukee gun violence prevention efforts
The Brief "Wear Orange Weekend" is part of National Gun Violence Awareness Month. The mayor said groups have distributed hundreds of gun locks and shared safety information with residents this weekend. MPD crime data shows there have been more than 200 non-fatal shootings so far this year. MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson issued a proclamation recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Saturday, part of "Wear Orange Weekend" and National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Johnson said local organizations have distributed hundreds of gun locks across the city and shared safety information with residents this weekend. He also said the city is offering free youth programming all summer through its "Hello Summer" initiative. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "Change is something that all of us can accomplish together, each and every single one of us," he said, "if we come together, if we stand behind a common cause to reduce gun violence and make sure that people who should not have their hands on guns in the first place, don't get the chance to do it." "Wear Orange Weekend" began as a tribute to a teen who was shot and killed in Chicago. It has now become a recognized movement to reduce gun violence nationwide. By the numbers The most recently available Milwaukee Police Department crime data shows, as of June 5, there have been 205 non-fatal shootings in the city this year – a 15% drop compared to the same point in 2024 and a 39% drop compared to 2023. While the city tracks homicides overall, it does not track fatal shootings, specifically, on its dashboard. Those statistics do not include a violent stretch that began Friday afternoon and continued into Saturday morning. Milwaukee police responded to at least four shootings that left two people dead and seven others wounded. Two shootings happened minutes apart on Hampton Avenue. The Source Information in this report is from city officials and the Milwaukee Police Department.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Chester gathers for peace in streets and end to gun violence at 2025 Wear Orange Peace Walk
The Brief Gathering together for National Gun Violence Awareness Month, the Chester community stepped up for the 2025 Wear Orange Peace Walk. Additionally, after the walk, a block party was held for the benefit of bringing residents together in the hope of peace in the city's streets. CHESTER, Pa. - The City of Chester banded together for the 2025 Wear Orange Peace Walk, with a block party after, to show unity and in the hope that gun violence can be put to an end. What we know It was a loud and clear message through the streets of Chester, a call for peace in the streets and the end to gun violence in the city. Many of those leading the charge are those hurt by gun violence. "In 2014, my older brother was murdered to gun violence and he wasn't even in the streets. It just made me realize someone in my position, with my energy and my voice, it's time to step up and help the city become a better place," says Cliff Newsome, a lifelong Chester resident. What they're saying That same pain is what influenced Tequiela Rice to join the movement after the love of her life, Willie Hill, was murdered. Rice displayed a picture of Hill and said, "He was a spectacular guy. Unfortunately things happen. We don't understand the story yet; we are still waiting for things to come to fruition but as of right now he lost his life to gun violence." As Rice waits for answers in the death of her partner, she's doing her part in trying to provide solutions to end the gun violence in the city. "Love each other, hug on each other, it is very detrimental that these kids know that these guns don't have a name on it, the bullets don't have a name, and the bullets can hit anybody," says Rice. Big picture view Which is why it was even important to see the Chester youth present for the walk, like Ja'core Stinney. "It's important to come out here to stop the violence and bring peace to the community," says Stinney. Also showing up for the walk and the block party were political leaders who are standing with the community and trying to provide resources to make change in the community. "I represent Chester. I try to get every place in the district that I represent. It's pretty big, all of Delaware County, parts of Philadelphia, parts of Montgomery County, but you can't represent if you're not out in the community," says U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon. With the power of all those voices, they may be able to do just that, one Chester block at a time.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Wear Orange event held in downtown Augusta to discuss National Gun Violence Awareness Month
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month and members of the community came together Friday night to bring attention to this issue. Families, community leaders and local leaders all gathered at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater to reflect and discuss ways to prevent future tragedies. There was story telling, moments of reflection and a balloon release. Elected officials spoke at the event including Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley and District One Commissioner Jordan Johnson. Johnson spoke to the crowd about his personal battle with gun violence in his family. 'I remember looking at my cousin in his casket, I remember watching my aunt scream and I can still hear her screaming. I can see my family still consoling her and even to this day on his birthday I can still see how she attempts to address the pain she still feels 16 years after his killing,' said Johnson. Hope Ciccio lost her son in 2019 and bravely shared his story at the event. She says it was wonderful to see the community come together to learn more about wear orange and gun violence awareness. 'It helped bring awareness and keep my sons story out there and I'm praying that we get justice for him. It means a lot that the community is coming together and the sheriff's department is coming together trying to resolve the issues that are going on in Augusta,' Ciccio said. Phyllis Jackson, Local Group Lead Volunteer for Moms Demand Action, explains what she hopes people learn from this event. 'I want people to understand that the grieving process is an everyday process, I lost my son in 2019 but today it seems like yesterday. I want people to understand that these children or these loved ones, their not statistics, they have names and those names have stories. I want people to recognize and understand that what you see on TV is not a game and it affects the community as a whole,' said Jackson. Moms Demand Action and Georgia Shift hosted the evening of remembrance and call to action. The Wear Orange campaign runs through Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
St. Francis Hospital recognizes National Gun Violence Awareness Day
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Friday is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Guns are listed as the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States and more than 100 Americans are killed with guns every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Governor Lamont advocates for more funding for gun violence prevention Saint Francis Hospital hosted a ceremony and speaking program Friday morning to honor those who have been impacted by gun violence and raise awareness of the important day. 'On Jan. 29, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old high school sophomore was shot and killed while standing in harsh park in Kenwood, Chicago,' hospital president Valerie Powell-Stafford said. 'Her death drew a national spotlight and stands as a reminder of how easily and abruptly gun violence can disrupt lives. The 'Wear Orange' campaign for gun violence awareness runs through the weekend. You can wear something orange to show your support for the movement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Loved ones of gun violence victims to honor them by wearing orange this weekend
People around the country, including Chicago, will be wearing orange in observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Day. It's also to honor Wear Orange weekend, which recognizes the people shot and killed every day in the country. The movement is in remembrance of Chicago teen Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed on a playground while with her friends. Her loved ones continue to honor her by wearing the color. Hadiya's mother, Cleo Pendleton, said that despite some changes, there is still work to be done. "There've been a lot of attempts to make changes and a lot of things implemented. However, I think there are still areas where it can be done," she said. "It's easy to want to take the win in those situations, but there's someone that's still taking a loss." On Monday, which would have been Pendleton's 28th birthday, Senators Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, and Robin Kelly introduced a resolution designating June 6 as Wear Orange Day. Orange was also Hadiay's favorite color.
