People in Wisconsin and around the nation are being asked to wear orange to draw attention to gun violence and its victims. Jeri Bonavia with Wisconsin Anti Violence Effort – or WAVE – said the effort originated with friends of a Chicago girl killed by gunfire. Hidaya Pendleton was killed two years ago, just a week after performing at President Obama’s second inauguration. Today – which advocates have designated as National Gun Violence Awareness Day – would have been her eighteenth birthday.
“In tribute to her, her friends decided to create this wear orange day,” Bonavia said, adding that the color was chosen specifically for its association with safety. “We know that it’s something that’s valued, that taking a safe approach to using firearms is important to gun owners here in Wisconsin. We think it’s important to all of us, in every setting.”
Activists wearing orange will be out in Milwaukee’s Third Ward and on Madison’s Capitol Square. “We are very optimistic, with more people involved, that we will get the kind of societal changes – including legislative changes – that will make a difference.”
