Events encourage community to wear orange Saturday for gun violence awareness

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Saturday, in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, many influencers, corporations, mayors, partner organizations and a series of iconic landmarks in all 50 states will participate in the Wear Orange campaign.

Wear Orange campaign elements in Kentucky are noted below.

• Skylines and key buildings nationwide will begin turning orange on June 1st, National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Key landmarks in Kentucky turning orange during Wear Orange Weekend include The Helix on Main Garage and the Water Fountain at Triangle Park in Lexington; Big Four Bridge over the Ohio River at Waterfront Park in Louisville.
• Kentucky-based partner organizations joined in recognizing Wear Orange Weekend including Antonio Franklin, Jr. Violence intervention Program (VIP) and Sisters and Supporters Working Against Gun Violence (SWAG) in Lexington; Louisville Urban League in Louisville.
• Kentucky mayors, including Mayor Jim Gray (Lexington) and Mayor Brandi Harless (Paducah), and Judge Executive Mike Williams (Bourbon County) joined the mayors nationwide participating in the Wear Orange campaign this year.
• More than 350 Wear Orange events will take place across the country on June 2nd and June 3rd for Wear Orange Weekend. All events are searchable via an online map (available here) and easy to track by following the #WearOrange hashtag.
• These events will bring communities together to showcase the full creativity of Wear Orange supporters from concerts to picnics in the park to orange walks to meeting at local landmarks as they turn orange. Wear Orange Weekend events are happening Saturday to honor of National Gun Violence Awareness in Kentucky in Lexington and Louisville. Specific event details noted below.

Lexington:

WHAT:   Family-friendly Celebration and Peace Walk in Duncan Park with food, petting zoo,    music, art, and speakers

WHO:

• Anita Franklin, Moms Demand Action Leader and survivor of gun violence, Director of Antonio Franklin, Jr. Violence Intervention Program
• Kathy Witt, Fayette County Sheriff

WHERE:

Duncan Park

N Martin Luther King Boulevard

Lexington, KY  40508

WHEN:

4:30 pm to 7:00 pm

**Local contact: Judy Prats, judithgprats@gmail.com

Louisville:

WHAT: Family-friendly Celebration and Peace Walk in Sheppard Park with food, music, group yoga, exercise classes, face painting, games, and speakers

WHO:

• Barbara Sexton Smith, Councilmember, Louisville Metro Council
• Jaylin Stewart, Artist and Executive Director of Adah School of Art, Inc.

WHERE:

Sheppard Park

1601 Magazine St

Louisville, KY  40203

WHEN:

11:30 am to 3:00 pm

**Local contact: Cathy Mekus, cbmekus@gmail.com