June is Wear Orange Month for Gun Violence Awareness
Every June, communities across the country come together to recognize Wear Orange Month, a national movement dedicated to honoring survivors of gun violence, remembering those whose lives have been stolen, and advocating for solutions that save lives.
At Virginians for Change, we join millions of Americans in wearing orange and raising awareness about a public health crisis that impacts every community—including our own here in Virginia.
The History Behind Wear Orange
Wear Orange began in 2015 to honor the life of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Chicago student who was tragically shot and killed just one week after performing at President Obama's second inauguration.
In the aftermath of Hadiya's death, her friends chose to wear orange—the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others from accidental shootings. They wanted orange to become a symbol of valuing life and demanding action against gun violence.
What started as a tribute to one young life has grown into a nationwide movement observed annually on National Gun Violence Awareness Day and throughout the month of June. Today, landmarks are illuminated in orange, communities host events, and advocates across the country wear orange to show solidarity with survivors and families impacted by gun violence.
The Reality of Gun Violence in America
Gun violence remains one of the most pressing public safety and public health challenges facing our nation.
Consider these facts:
More than 45,000 Americans die from gun-related injuries each year.
Firearms are now one of the leading causes of death for children and teens in the United States.
Nearly 60% of gun deaths are suicides, highlighting the critical connection between firearm access and mental health crises.
Research consistently shows that commonsense measures such as secure firearm storage, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), and universal background checks can help reduce gun deaths and injuries.
An overwhelming majority of Americans—including gun owners—support many evidence-based gun safety policies.
Behind every statistic is a family forever changed, a classroom with an empty seat, a community grieving, or a survivor learning to rebuild their life.
Why Wear Orange Matters
Wearing orange is more than a symbolic gesture. It is a way to:
Honor victims and survivors of gun violence.
Raise awareness about the scope of the crisis.
Show support for evidence-based policies that save lives.
Build community around a shared commitment to safety.
Remind elected officials that Virginians want action.
Gun violence is not inevitable. Communities across the country have demonstrated that thoughtful policies and prevention strategies can make a difference.
How You Can Participate
This June, we invite you to join Virginians for Change in recognizing Wear Orange Month.
You can:
🧡 Wear orange and share a photo on social media.
🧡 Attend a local Wear Orange event in your community.
🧡 Talk with friends and family about secure firearm storage.
🧡 Contact your elected officials and urge them to support evidence-based gun violence prevention measures.
🧡 Share stories and information that help educate others about the impact of gun violence.
Together, we can honor those we have lost, support those who have survived, and continue working toward a future where every Virginian can live free from the fear of gun violence.
This June, wear orange. Remember the lives behind the statistics. And join us in building safer communities for everyone.
