Raleigh Recognizes National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 5

The City of Raleigh is recognizing Friday, June 5, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day, joining communities across the country in honoring victims and survivors of gun violence while raising awareness about the impact gun violence has on families and neighborhoods.

Mayor Janet Cowell has issued a proclamation declaring June 5, 2026, National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Raleigh. The observance serves as a reminder of the importance of community partnerships, prevention efforts, and ongoing work to reduce violence and improve public safety.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day is observed annually on the first Friday in June. The movement was inspired by friends of Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teenager who was tragically killed by gun violence in 2013. To honor her memory and the lives of others lost to gun violence, supporters wear orange-a color chosen because it symbolizes the value of human life and is worn by hunters to increase visibility and safety.

Residents are encouraged to wear orange on June 5 to show support for victims, survivors, and efforts to prevent gun violence in our communities.

The City of Raleigh remains committed to working alongside law enforcement, community organizations, violence intervention partners, and residents to promote safer neighborhoods and reduce the impact of gun violence.

Proclamation

WHEREAS, every day, nearly 130 people in the United States are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 19,000 gun homicides every year; and

WHEREAS, people in the United States are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina has 3,383 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 6.3 deaths per 100,000 people, a crisis that costs the state approximately $19.5 billion each year, and

WHEREAS, cities across the nation, including Raleigh, are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions; and

WHEREAS, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from those who are a danger to themselves or others; and

WHEREAS, mayors, councilmembers, and law enforcement officers - in partnership with local violence intervention activists and resources - know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep their citizens safe; and

WHEREAS, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15 in Chicago, IL; and on June 5, 2026, to recognize the 29th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton (born: June 2, 1997), people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to -
(1) Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence; and
(2) the loved ones of those victims; and

WHEREAS, the idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya's friends, who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange; they chose this color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods, and orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life; and

WHEREAS, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as we see gun violence continue to impact communities across the country;

WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 5, 2026, people across the United States will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims, and survivors; and

WHEREAS, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have access to them and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe.

NOW, THEREFORE, do I, Janet Cowell, Mayor of the City of Raleigh, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 5th, 2026 as Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Janet Cowel, Mayor