On National Gun Violence Awareness Day, demonstrators in Hendersonville donned orange clothing to honor the memories of victims, notably Riley Howell, who heroically confronted a shooter at UNC Charlotte in 2019. The event, organized by Moms Demand Action, saw families of those lost to gun violence, including the Prydes, who remembered their daughter Julia, a Virginia Tech student killed in 2007, calling for stronger gun control measures.
This year’s rally emphasized the ongoing impact of gun violence on communities, inspired by the tragic story of Hadiya Pendleton, a young girl shot shortly after participating in President Obama’s inaugural parade. The “Wear Orange” movement began in her memory to symbolize the lives lost to gun violence, with organizers highlighting the need for collective action to prevent future tragedies.
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