Communities raise awareness on gun violence prevention through wear orange events

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – In honor of national gun violence awareness month, a Wear Orange event was held at the Peace Park in Cape Girardeau at 11 am today. Moms demand action members shared information on gun safety and showed support to families. Mayor Stacy Kinder was in attendance and gave a proclamation.

 June 7th is national firearms awareness day and communities from all over are coming together to help spread awareness. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics the leading cause of accidental deaths in children is firearms.

The wear orange event encouraged citizens to wear orange and show up to learn about gun safety. The Moms Demand Action organization is a grassroots movement of citizen’s fighting for public safety measures that protect people from gun violence and stand with causes like wear orange.

Linda Stewart is a member of Mom’s Demand Action. 

 “Everyday in this country 120 people are shot and killed. Hundreds more are wounded, and countless people are impacted by this gun violence. Lives are forever changed. And we know that so much of the gun violence could be prevented if we just worked together and so we gather today to wear orange and to show the community that we care and that we want to find an end to gun violence, says Stewart.”

“On June 17th we are having what we are calling a moms 101 meeting. We know that right now the cape Girardeau area is reeling after the senseless gun shooting that happened at the cape cental graduation and people are wondering what they can do to make a difference, so we invite them to come to our meeting. It’s at 6:30 on June 18th at the cape Girardeau public library. We’ll introduce to what our organization is and how they can make a difference locally. Whether you have 5 minutes a day or an hour a week there is something you can do to help make a difference and reduce gun violence in our area, says Stewart.”

Cape Girardeau isn’t the only area participating in wear orange events.

Eva Fisher is the public relations officer for the city of Carbondale. She shares how Carbondale is getting involved in gun violence awareness month. 

“This is a community effort that’s ongoing all year There are a couple groups in Carbondale united and women for change who do a lot towards this movement to end gun violence. They will be holding a proclamation raising awareness for gun violence awareness month and will be hosting an event on June 8, 2024 called the big event.” 

The Big Event will consist of a peace march followed by a community basketball game in Carbondale.

There will be a Unity Pride March at 11:30 am that will start on South Marion and Monroe streets in Carbondale and march to Attucks Park.

The basketball tournament will run from 10 am through 5pm at Attucks Park.

Other festivities, food, and jump houses will be available.