Gun Safety Advocates Recognize 2 Duval County Students For Artwork Highlighting Gun Violence Crisis – Action News Jax

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Volunteers from the nonprofit Moms Demand Action, in partnership with the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, will recognize Akila Jayaraman of Stanton College Prep and Anaya King of Raines High School for their works.

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Moms Demand Action volunteers in Jacksonville invited students in grades 6-8 and 9-12 to participate in a poster contest to highlight the many ways gun violence affects individuals and communities and to remember the lives lost or changed by gun violence.

Winning posters will be displayed at BookMark in Neptune Beach, along with recent books describing the impact of gun violence, the politics of gun safety laws, and preventable solutions. The presentation will begin at 1 p.m. at 220 First Street, Neptune Beach, FL 32266. The public is welcome.

The contest takes place just before the Wear Orange weekend and National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 3. Weekend Wear Orange was born on June 2, 2015 – which would have been Hadiya Pendleton’s 18th birthday. The event started with Chicago teenagers, who wanted to honor their friend, Hadiya, after she was shot and killed.

Today, Wear Orange Weekend honors Hadiya and the more than 110 Americans shot and killed every day, along with the hundreds more injured.

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The year 2021 has been one of the deadliest years on record for gun violence in the United States. Gun violence has increased as the COVID-19 pandemic has struck and these impacts continue to devastate communities and families across the country.

The #wearorange movement hopes to remedy this problem and continues to raise awareness so that the United States does not experience a similar and deadly year.

Each year, #WearOrange grows, as community partners and gun safety advocates host events ranging from rallies to community beautification projects, fundraisers and Wear Orange walks. This year, Defenders will again participate in all states and Washington, D.C.

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