City of Gainesville hosts Wear Orange event for gun-violence awareness

Published on June 07, 2024

Gainesville will join communities across the country to raise awareness about gun violence with an official “Wear Orange” event this Friday, June 7, National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

When: 7:30-midnight Friday, June 7

Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 N.E. 14th St.

The event is free and open to the public. Neighbors are invited to wear orange clothing and join the efforts to end gun violence.

The evening’s activities include Teen Midnight Basketball, a tournament for area middle and high school students as well as a special event for Gainesville Fire Rescue’s (GFR) incoming class of firefighters and their families.

During GFR’s third annual Signing Day Ceremony, each of the 15 candidates will accept a conditional letter of employment from the City of Gainesville as they’re surrounded by family and friends, similar to signing ceremonies for athletes committing to sports teams.

Following the ceremony, several candidates will assist with Teen Midnight Basketball. As part of IMPACT GNV, the City of Gainesville and its community partners work to positively engage area youth in fun and safe activities as part of gun violence prevention efforts.

Teens will receive either orange/black or black/orange t-shirts for the tournament. For more information, contact Brittany Coleman at ColemanBJ@GainesvilleFL.gov.

Note: At the start of the evening session of the June 6 Gainesville City Commission meeting, Mayor Harvey Ward will designate June 7, 2024 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Gainesville to honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors.

#WearOrange is the official hashtag of the Wear Orange national movement to stop gun violence. June is Gun Violence Awareness Month.