On January 21, 2013, one million people gathered at the United States Capitol building for Barack Obama’s second inaugural parade. Fifteen-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was one of those one million people that day. One week later, Pendleton was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago.
In remembrance of Pendleton’s life, the first Friday of June is now recognized as Wear Orange Day. Started by her friends on June 2, 2015, Wear Orange is dedicated to honoring the lives of those who have been affected by gun violence and demanding an end to gun violence. Thousands of people across the United States wear orange on this day, the color hunters wear to prevent gun-related accidents and promote gun safety.
Read more about Hadiya Pendleton and Wear Orange’s mission here.
Additionally, 47,000 people are killed by a gun every year, and around 85,000 are wounded every year in the U.S. According to Everytown research, of that 47,000, more than 2,800 children and teens are killed by a firearm every year.
In 2022, the Youth Advisory Council, including students Yashvi Patel, Andrew Fahime, Annaclara Coehlo, Colby Rochford, and Mia Swaine, at the time, and the Health Center decided to take action against these rising numbers and bring awareness to GHS.
“We try to keep it removed from political issues surrounding gun violence,” GHS student and Youth Advisory Council member Lyall Cunningham said, “It’s about standing up for safety, peace, and unity.”
GHS students are encouraged to join the council in wearing orange to honor all of those who have passed and show awareness and support to end gun violence.
“It allows the students to have a platform to speak out,“ Youth Advisory Council advisor Karen Hurst said, “It is a day where people can stand together for a common good.”
The Youth Advisory Council will have a table outside of the cafeteria on Friday, June 6th, during both lunches; you can learn more about the cause, get an orange bracelet to show your support, and write on an orange mural.
