SEATTLE — On Friday, communities in Washington state and across the country marked National Gun Violence Awareness Day, a day to remember and honor the victims and survivors of gun violence.
National Gun Violence Awareness Day takes place on the first Friday in June and kicks off Wear Orange Weekend. The advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety said wearing orange, the color hunters use to protect themselves, is a good start. Wearing the color has become a symbol of the gun violence prevention movement.
More than 800 people die by guns in Washington state in an average year, according to the Everytown for Gun Safety website. But this year, Wear Orange Weekend falls at a time when the conversation surrounding guns and gun violence is more relevant than ever.
At the Corner of 23rd and Jackson, the message held a deep meaning. This is, after all, where there have been numerous shootings in recent years. Instead, there was an unusual giveaway.
King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, and numerous volunteers handed out safe storage lock boxes and trigger locks. The free event was sponsored by King County Public Health.
DeVitta Briscoe has lost three loved ones due to gun violence, including her son, long time partner, and brother Che Taylor. She stood near a tent as the devices were being given away.
“It’s easy to get hopeless, it's easy to feel powerless, I think this is just one measure,” but she said, “It's not going to solve everything.”
There are several events around the Puget Sound region this weekend to honor survivors and victims of gun violence:
King County
Community members in Shoreline gathered in orange Friday to wave to commuters over Interstate 5. Click here for more information.
A group is also gathering to wave signs in Shoreline at 11 a.m. Saturday. Click here for more information and to RSVP for the event.
A gun violence awareness picnic was held at Mercerdale Park on Mercer Island. Click here for more information.
Several Seattle landmarks are also expected to light up orange over the weekend to raise awareness about the gun violence epidemic.
Snohomish County
Residents gathered at Byers Family Peace Park in Mukilteo Friday to light luminaries to honor victims and survivors.
Students around the region are also taking action.
Students at Highline High School planned a walkout protesting gun violence Friday morning, and an interfaith crowd gathered in Seattle on Thursday to march for stronger background checks.
While many events take place on National Gun Safety Awareness Day, the entire month of June is dedicated to the cause.