Madison: Wear Orange Weekend Honors Victims of Gun Violence, Calls for Change
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~ Madison, WI- Public Health Madison & Dane County, along with City and County leaders and the Madison Police Department, have joined forces to raise awareness about gun violence and call for an end to this pressing issue. This comes as part of a nationwide movement known as "Wear Orange Weekend," which aims to bring attention to the devastating impact of gun violence in communities across America.

According to Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County, gun violence has become the leading cause of death for youth in the United States. In Dane County alone, someone falls victim to gun violence every 10 days due to suicide, accidents, or homicide. These statistics are not just numbers; they represent lives, families, and futures that have been taken away from the community.

The Wear Orange movement was born after the tragic death of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton in Chicago in 2013. Friends and loved ones honored her memory by wearing orange, a color symbolizing what hunters wear in the woods for protection.

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Acting Madison Police Chief John Patterson stresses that preventing gun violence starts at home. He urges gun owners to properly secure their firearms by using trigger locks and safes. Storing guns in cars or carrying them without protection is not only unsafe but also irresponsible ownership.

This weekend, the community is invited to participate in a series of events aimed at remembering victims of violence, honoring survivors, and supporting prevention efforts. The schedule includes a Wear Orange Weekend kickoff event on Friday at Brix Cider Patio in Mt Horeb from 4:00pm-7:00pm. On Saturday evening at 6:00pm-7:30pm there will be a candlelight vigil at Capitol Steps on W. Mifflin & N. Carroll to remember victims and rally for change. Finally, on Sunday from 1:00pm-3:00pm there will be a community gathering and resource event at North Sherman Avenue Methodist Church in Madison, featuring food, music, and speakers.

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Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway emphasizes that every person in the city deserves to feel safe in their home, neighborhood, school, and workplace. She calls gun violence a public safety crisis that requires a holistic and community-wide response. Rhodes-Conway urges individuals to educate themselves on the issue, prevent accidental shootings, and resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard echoes these sentiments, stating that this movement is not only about honoring victims and supporting survivors but also about advocating for common-sense gun safety measures. She encourages people to speak to their legislators and support violence prevention programs in the community.

The Wear Orange campaign is in support of Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization led by parents, students, survivors, and educators who are dedicated to ending gun violence. Everyone is welcome to attend any of the Wear Orange Weekend events. More information can be found on the events page. Let us all come together as a community to take action against gun violence and create a safer future for all.

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