Cape Community to Wear Orange to Raise Awareness for Gun Violence

BOURNE – Residents and visitors are encouraged to wear orange Saturday to raise awareness for gun violence at a community gathering in Bourne.

The National Gun Violence Awareness Day Wear Orange event runs from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Midway Recreation Area on Tech Drive off Sandwich Road between the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges.

The Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America event will include a guest speaker, music, crafts, games and activities for children.

“We organize fun activities but we also have a significant ritual to acknowledge survivors and acknowledge the trauma that’s connected with gun violence,” said Margy Mahrdt, the Cape Cod group leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

The national Wear Orange campaign began several years ago after a Chicago teen was shot and killed walking home from school. Hadiya Pendleton was killed just weeks after performing with her marching band in the inauguration parade for President Obama.

Orange was Pendleton’s favorite color and was chosen by her friends to remember her.

Orange also symbolizes safety as it is worn by hunters in the woods and is the color of traditional life preservers for boaters.

Mahrdt said she is afraid communities across the country are being desensitized to gun violence.

“Something that really struck home for all of us this year was the killing of Sgt. Sean Gannon and I think that we have to recognize that those kinds of traumas are visited on communities all over the country on a daily basis,” Mahrdt said.

This is the third straight year the organization has held a Wear Orange event for National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

A rally was held in downtown Hyannis the first year before the event was moved to the Midway Recreation Area last year.

“It’s a wonderful area,” Mahrdt said.

The event is free and open to the public and organizers are asking individuals interested in attending to register at MomsDemandAction.org to make sure enough food is provided.

“There is a lot for everybody,” Mahrdt said. “There will be food, and games and music and if that’s not a good time I don’t know what is.”

Speakers expected to attend include Congressman William Keating, Brockton State Rep. Michelle Dubois, Margie Mahrdt from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and Pat Hatch from Grandmothers Against Gun Violence.