June 2nd is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and a group called the Wear Orange Coalition will gather at Loflin Yard (7 W. Carolina Ave.) from 5 to 7 p.m. to honor Memphis victims of gun violence.
The family-friendly event will feature an interactive exhibit called “In Memoriam” in which the event attendees may place photos of loved ones lost to gun violence. After the event, the exhibit will be stored in the National Civil Rights Museum’s permanent archive. Also on display will be a F.F.U.N. (Freedom From Unnecessary Negatives) and Shelby County Crime Victim Center Memorial Quilt.
The national Wear Orange Coalition inspired by friends of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Chicago high school student killed by gunfire, who decided to honor her life by wearing orange — the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others. Wear Orange events are being held all over the country Thursday.
Attendees will include Tennessee State Senator Lee Harris, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Terri Lee Freeman (president of National Civil Rights Museum), Moms Demand Action volunteer Kristy Glassman, and family and friends of those lost to gun violence.
