Seattle – Tonight, in recognition of Gun Violence Awareness Day, Seattle will light up orange to show support for survivors of gun violence, in memory of those who have passed due to gun violence, and to express the city’s commitment to action and change. On Friday evening, buildings across the city, including the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, T-Mobile Park, Lumen Field, and Climate Pledge Arena will light up orange.
“After yet another tragic mass shooting, Seattle is uniting on Gun Violence Awareness Day to stand up and demand action and to stand with survivors and impacted communities. We cannot allow this tragedy to continue to be the norm,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Gun violence impacts our communities every day in many different forms, disproportionately communities of color and young Black men. It is past time to reject state preemption over gun laws. Cities like Seattle must have the freedom to set their own gun laws and take bold and commonsense steps to ensure meaningful change and progress.”
On January 13, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15 at a playground in Chicago, only one week after she marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. Following this tragedy, her friends and neighbors chose to commemorate her life by wearing orange and telling her story. Wear Orange, Gun Violence Awareness Day, began on June 2, 2015, the day that Hadiya would have turned 18. Since then, this campaign has spread across the nation to raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims.
“We at Pacific Science Center stand with our city in supporting gun violence awareness and showing support for meaningful action in response to what is a public health crisis,” said Will Daugherty, CEO, Pacific Science Center. “Being open and curious to those who have opposing views, as well as using critical thinking skills, are essential to the dialogue we as a city, county, state and country must engage in to create a future free of gun violence.”
June 3 will mark the launch of the Safer Summer Initiative for Seattle and King County. This community-led work elevates calls for action to collaborate and align efforts to co-create a Safer Summer 2022 and beyond. At events in the Central District, Skyway, and Kent, the Regional Peacekeepers Collective and the Seattle Community Safety Initiative Partners will raise awareness, conduct gun safety activities, and provide education and resources to community. The City is proud to be a financial supporter of and partner in this work.
“We honor those personally impacted by gun violence and mourn with the families, communities and school districts who are suffering. Our hearts are filled with sorrow from the most recent outbreak of gun violence in our nation,” said DeVitta Briscoe, Gun Violence Prevention Liaison for the Mayor’s Office. “Time and time again, Americans are forced to deal with the horrific realities of mass shootings, from 2 teachers and 19 school children in Texas, to an act motivated by hate in Buffalo, New York that left 10 dead. Gun violence is a solvable problem – but only with leadership, action, and true community engagement. This is a major priority for the Harrell administration. I’m excited to work alongside of our partners at the Regional Peacekeepers Collective and the Seattle Community Safety Initiative to build and implement a collaborative and community-focused approach.”