The Maryland Chapter of Moms Demand Action, in partnership with Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, is hosting several community events throughout the state Saturday.
A community picnic is planned at Johnson Local Park, 18000 Washington Grove Lane, in Gaithersburg from noon to 3 p.m. The event honors the lives of those affected by gun violence and aims to elevate gun violence prevention nationwide, according to a news release.
Participants are urged to wear orange, the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor after she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 in 2013.
According to members of the Wear Orange campaign, 2021 was one of the deadliest years on record for gun violence in the United States. Recently, there have been deadly shootings in a school, supermarket and doctor’s office.
Other Maryland events are planned at the Baltimore County Courthouse, a community clean up and resource festival in Edgewood, a community garden planting in Frederick and the Bowie Fest in Prince George’s County.
Maryland skylines and buildings will light up in orange at Baltimore City Hall, Maryland Science Center, Baltimore Museum of Industry, Baltimore County Courthouse, George Howard Building in Howard County and Howard County General Hospital.
Rockville and Takoma Park issued proclamations declaring June 3 National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Enough is enough. Now is the time to band together to effect meaningful change and end gun violence. The #Tulsa mass shooting marks the 233rd massacre and follows a series of fatal events across our nation. pic.twitter.com/AfqlHEsVMm
— Councilmember Gabe Albornoz (@albornoz_gabe) June 3, 2022
