Chicago teen Hadiya Pendleton died in 2013, struck down by a bullet fired by a man who later told police he believed he was shooting at rival gang members. Two years later, Hadiya’s friends celebrated her memory on what should have been her 18th birthday by wearing orange, the color that hunters wear in the woods to avoid getting shot.
Their gesture quickly grew into a national movement. The first Friday of June marks the start of “Wear Orange” weekend and Gun Violence Awareness Month. In Cleveland, M-PAC has been a leader in calling attention to gun violence and supporting those who have been affected by it.
“Our main focus is on healing, which looks different for each and every person that becomes part of this group,” said Michelle Bell, who founded M-PAC after losing her son, Andre Brown, to gun violence in 2019.
M-PAC organized or is a partner in many of the gun violence awareness events listed below. If we missed any, please email the information to [email protected].
Friday, June 6: Victim Compensation Workshop
5:30-7:30 p.m. at CWRU Wade Park Community Engagement Center, 11310 Wade Park Ave.
Learn about the resources available to assist victims of crime, including compensation for expenses related to being a victim. The event is free. You can register on this web page.
Friday, June 6: MetroHealth’s Gun Violence Prevention Committee Resource Fair
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bank of America Performing Arts area in the Glick Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive (see visitors guide)
This event is organized around the committee’s “What’s Your Plan?” initiative, which encourages members of the community to learn how to prevent, respond to and recover from gun violence. There will be speakers from MetroHealth staff, the Cleveland Division of Police, M-PAC Cleveland, Cleveland Peacemakers, Cleveland ICONS, New Era Cleveland, Moms Demand Action and Project LIFT Services. Read more about the fair here.
Saturday, June 14: Gun Violence Awareness Month Annual Survivor Walk
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting at Stop-N-Save Food Mart, 15637 St. Clair Ave.
The walk is free. You can register here.
Friday, June 20: “No More Silence, End Gun Violence” Youth Roundtable
6-8 p.m. at 630 E. 185th St.
This event, organized by Strong Hands United, brings together young minds to discuss important issues, share ideas and connect with like-minded individuals to make a difference in your community. The event is free; you can register here.
Saturday, June 21: Community Bazaar and Resource Fair
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at New Jericho Baptist Church, 11918 Kinsman Road.
Bring your family and friends for a day of shopping, eating and learning. The event features vendors and local organizations with information about gun violence and prevention.
Saturday, June 28: Break the Silence on Violence Festival
Noon to 8 p.m. at Sam Miller Park, 771 E. 88th St.
Free tickets are available here. Festival organizers Speakezie Go Hard are looking for artists, DJs, vendors, workshop facilitators and survivor speakers to participate. If you’re interested, fill out this form.
Sunday, June 29: Wear Orange Worship Service
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, 3386 E. 119th St.
Wear orange and come ready to pray, sing and stand in solidarity with the community.