Anti-Violence Event Honors Victims and Survivors of Gun Violence
On June 2nd, 2018 ITA gathered together along with other members of the Evanston community to take part in the 4th Annual #WearOrange event in support of the National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The downtown Evanston event honored victims and survivors in Evanston and all cross America who are impacted by gun-related deaths, and violence every day.
ITA intern Zak Van Den Berg and Evanston Mayor Stephen Hagerty show off their paper creations.
Attendees were encouraged to wear orange to signify the color hunters wear to stand out in to avoid getting shot. The event’s program included speakers and performances that commemorated individuals whose lives were taken as a result of gun violence. Other speakers informed attendees how they can stand up and make a difference to combat gun violence.
ITA interns Andria, Anne, and Zak and a team of ITA volunteers facilitated a PeaceCrane art project with #WearOrange participants. Multicolored cranes were constructed using origami folding techniques. Participants had the opportunity to write the name of an individual or an encouraging message on a unifying orange ribbon, which was ultimately attached to the end of a peace crane.
ITA intern Andria Duncan facilitates the PeaceCrane Project at Evanston’s annual #WearOrange event on June 2, 2018.
This topic of gun violence particularly hit home for one of ITA interns, Andria Duncan, whose hometown of Dixon, Illinois experienced an episode of gun violence at Dixon High School just days before the Evanston event took place. In response to the gun-related occurrence in the Dixon community, ITA extended the Peace Crane Project to residents of Dixon, Illinois.
Origami paper was sent to Dixon and the surrounding communities to join in the contribution of the art project through the creation of Purple Dixon Strong Peace Cranes. Purple was selected to reflect Dixon High School’s colors of purple and white. The #WearOrange movement is a great example of the impact individuals can have on respective communities when we all unify towards a common cause such as the fight against gun violence.