John,
We’re kicking off Gun Violence Awareness Month — and across the country, advocates are wearing orange to honor lives lost and demand action.
This tradition began in memory of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Black girl from Chicago who had proudly marched in President Obama’s second inauguration. Just one week later, Hadiya was shot and killed on a playground in her neighborhood.
Following the lead of her friends and community, we began wearing orange — the color of safety, visibility, and solidarity — to commemorate her life and take a stand against gun violence. June 2, 2015, which would have been Hadiya’s 18th birthday, marked the first official Wear Orange day.
Today, we wear orange not only for Hadiya, but for the 125 people killed by gun violence every day in America, and the countless others who are wounded, traumatized, or forever changed.
Orange is how we show up. But action is how we build change.
Here are three ways you can take action right now:
1. Make a donation to support long-term solutions.
Your support helps fund legal defense, policy advocacy, and community-based violence prevention. Donate now to keep this work going.
2. Get involved in the way that works for you.
Whether it’s volunteering, organizing, or raising awareness, there’s a role for everyone in this movement — and our action hub can help you get started. Explore ways to get involved.
3. Help spread the word.
Follow us on Instagram and help share why you wear orange. Use your voice — online and offline — to talk with friends, post on social media, and remind others that we all have a role to play in ending gun violence. And if you’re posting on social media, don’t forget to tag the Alliance!
This movement is powered by people who refuse to accept gun violence as normal — and who believe in a future where every community is safe.
Thank you for taking action,
The Alliance for Gun Responsibility
