Join us in wearing orange on Friday, June 7 in a show of support of anti-violence efforts.
As part of our commitment to providing a safe learning and working environment, students, educators and staff are invited to wear orange in honor of those who have lost their lives to violence.
Orange is the color that was chosen by friends to honor the life of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old high school student from the south side of Chicago who was shot and killed in January 2013 — just one week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd inaugural parade. On June 2, 2015, on what would have been Hadiya’s 18th birthday, a group of her friends chose to wear orange to remember her life.
After her death, her friends asked people to stand up, speak out, and Wear Orange to raise awareness about gun violence. They chose orange because it is the color that hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others. What started as a way to celebrate one life has evolved into a movement to raise awareness, show support and inspire action to help end violence.
So add a splash of orange to your outfit on National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 7, and give a nod of support to others who do the same.
Please also join us in keeping our children safe by ensuring they never have unsupervised access to firearms and all firearms in your possession are kept under lock and key.
Learn more about the Wear Orange initiative.