Garden State Times

On Monday, the Board of Commissioners joined New Jersey Moms Demand Action, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, and other community partners to honor National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend with a resource fair and a concert by Grammy-nominated musical artists Black Violin.

Gun Violence Awareness Day falls on the first Friday of June each year, and Wear Orange Weekend is celebrated throughout the first weekend. The campaign began after Hadiya Pendleton, a high school student from Chicago, was shot and killed on a playground in 2013. To commemorate her life, her friends wore orange, which is the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others. Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend have grown into national movements to honor the countless lives lost and impacted by gun violence in America.

“More than 40,000 Americans died from gun violence in 2023; that is unfathomable but unfortunately, it is our reality,” Commissioner Melinda Kane said. “Our country is gripped by senseless gun violence, and it has leeched its way into every aspect of our lives. But as tragic and frustrating as this is, I hold on to hope for change because we do not have to live this way. Gun violence is preventable and organizations like Moms Demand Action are leading the charge to end senseless gun violence in this country by raising awareness and pushing for common sense gun laws on a national level. Together, we can change the future of gun violence and make this country a safer place for all.”

To view photos from the event, click here.