Special tribute to victims and survivors of the Thurston High School tragedy

On Saturday, June 3, as part of Wear Orange Weekend and National Gun Violence Awareness Day, volunteers with the Oregon chapter of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, in partnership with the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, will host a Wear Orange event to honor the lives of those affected by gun violence and elevate gun violence prevention efforts nationwide. This Eugene/Springfield community event will include a special tribute to the victims and survivors of the Thurston High School shooting, which happened 25 years ago and has had a deep and lasting impact on the community.

The event will be held at Island Park in Springfield, a city that has one of the highest firearm suicide rates in the nation.

2022 was another deadly year for America. In the first half of 2023, the impacts have continued to devastate communities and families across the country. Every year, #WearOrange expands as community partners and gun safety advocates hold events — from gatherings to community beautification projects to donation drives and Wear Orange walks. This year, advocates will once again participate in every state and Washington, D.C.

The event will include a program of speakers, music and dance performances, community partner tables, craft activities for kids, and two food trucks. Local survivors of gun violence will be there, along with NAACP Eugene Springfield branch President Miles Pendleton, Eugene City Councilor Matt Keating, and Lane County Commissioner Laurie Trieger. Performers include seasoned Northwest singer-songwriter John Shipe, The Raging Grannies, and Eugene Bhangra. The event will also feature an interactive Wall of Remembrance, on which event attendees can add names of loved ones and messages of support for survivors.

To RSVP for the event: https://act.everytown.org/event/wear-orange-2023/54153/signup/?source=&akid=&zip=