Local organizers and elected officials recently rallied for gun violence awareness over the weekend throughout the state. Chapel Hill hosted its own event on Friday in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Orange-clad citizens filled the Peace and Justice Plaza on Franklin Street to show unity against gun-related issues. People held signs as speakers discussed ongoing legislative actions against gun violence and law enforcement raised a solid orange flag at the courthouse. Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger shared her thoughts on local and national gun violence and encouraged the participants to pressure elected officials on their gun safety policies.

“You’re making a difference,” she said. “Even though our state legislative leadership hasn’t moved very far, you have motivated our communities. It is making a difference, keep it up.”

Gun Violence Awareness Day is part of the national Wear Orange movement. It’s led by the activism group Everytown For Gun Safety, but Chapel Hill’s event was spearheaded by other organizations too. Rebecca Ceartas is the executive director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, which had many members participate on Friday. Ceartas became involved after the Sandy Hook massacre and quickly realized the bigger problem beyond mass shootings.

“Over 104 people are killed every day by gun violence,” she said, “and that’s just simply unacceptable.”

NCGV started in 1993 after a jogger was shot and killed in Chapel Hill. Since then, the organization helps run events like Friday’s all around the state.

Ceartas urged attendees to be aware of gun-related bills in both federal and state governments, saying NCGV is currently pushing against a proposed bill to allow concealed carry without a permit. Awareness events promote those actions more, she said, while creating a sense of unity among passionate citizens.

“It’s good, because it reminds people of the positive things that are being done for gun violence prevention and creates a sense of community for those who care about this issue,” said Ceartas. “It’s so important that we keep it in the media’s attention and get people focused on this.”

While Chapel Hill’s event served as a lead-up to the bigger Wear Orange rally in Durham on Saturday, the orange flag at the courthouse is expected to remain up for at least a week longer.

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