Community members wear orange to target gun violence
More than 75 U.S. landmarks took part in the “Wear Orange” campaign for National Gun Violence Awareness Day Thursday. In Bend, all the flags on the footbridge in the Old Mill District were orange. In the evening, a gathering for the cause took place at Crow’s Feet Commons.
The group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America hosted the event. Some members said gun violence has become an epidemic
The “Wear Orange” campaign is in its second year. It began with high school students who lost their friend to gunfire.
“Orange is used because hunters wear the color to warn other hunters not to shoot. By wearing orange, we are showing others that we are human, and wish not to be gunned down,” said Megan Ellingsen of Moms Demand Action.
Another group member, Caroline Skidmore, called gun violence an epidemic.
“Americans are 25 times more likely to be murdered by a gun than any other developed nation,” she said.
The group is one of 200 working together on gun violence prevention. Ellingsen said after working on victims of gun violence in medical school and seeing school shootings happen more frequently, she’s had enough.
“Most disturbing is just the loss of innocence, that our children have to practice lock-down drills in elementary school — and they don’t even understand what they’re practicing for,” Ellingsen said.
She said she has a gun, and that the group is not against gun ownership. It advocates better background checks, as well as improved safety.
“We have to start in the homes and get people to lock up their guns. Because we wouldn’t have these mass shootings if people would lock their guns,” Ellingsen said.
The group said awareness on the issue is improving, and there are now about five million members among all the gun violence prevention programs.
“There is hope for our children and our future, if we stop remaining silent and stand up together,” Ellingsen said.
More information about gun violence and how to join the group’s effort can be found at wearorange.org.
