June 02--Celebrities and local politicians have pledged to wear orange Tuesday to observe the first National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
The day has special resonance in Chicago, as it would have been the 18th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton, a popular honors high school student at King College Prep who was killed in 2013 about a mile from the Obama family's home in the Kenwood neighborhood. She died days after performing at events related to President Barack Obama's inauguration.
Hadiya, 15, became a national symbol for the city's struggle with violent crime. First lady Michelle Obama spoke at her funeral, which drew other dignitaries from all over the country.
From 3:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel will join other city leaders and organizations at a Wear Orange Party for Peace in Harold Washington Park, "to honor the lives of those affected by gun violence and to elevate gun violence prevention efforts nationwide," according to an announcement about the event organized by Everytown for Gun Safety, a group that works to end gun violence.
The mayor will speak along with gun violence survivors, and Motown recording artist James Davis will perform. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin also announced that he will be wearing an orange tie Tuesday in honor of Hadiya.
The event will also include food, live music, a DJ, slam poetry, a photo booth and other activities, according to the organizers. Early birds can secure a "Wear Orange" tee.
The orange theme is inspired by Hadiya's friends, who chose to commemorate her life with a color that hunters wear to keep themselves and others safe from harm.
The group was formed a couple of months after Hadiya's death and has been targeting the structural problems that its members believe lead to violence, including failing school systems, institutional racism and food deserts, according to Nza-Ari Khepra, former president of Project Orange Tree.
Khepra, a founding member, was also a friend of Hadiya's at King College Prep.
"Of course there is always going to be sadness," Khepra said of the day that would have been Hadiya's birthday. "The one thing I really get down to is the fact that Hadiya was really close to her own humanity and how much she cared for other people. I think today should be a reflection of people's humanity and getting in touch with a cause and fighting for something that is taking 88 lives per day."
mmrodriguez@tribpub.com
