NFTY Wears Orange

As we approach the second annual Gun Violence Awareness Day in the United States, NFTY is again “Wearing Orange” on June 2nd. On January 29th, 2013, just a week after marching in President Obama’s second inaugural parade, 15 year-old Hadiya Pendleton was shot at a park near her school in Chicago. To commemorate her life, her classmates wore orange: the color that symbolizes the value of human life, that hunters wear so no one accidentally shoots them.

This year in NFTY, we’ve witnessed tremendous accomplishments in our goal to raise awareness about and prevent gun violence. In the spirit of all we have done in our campaign against gun violence, this year’s June 2nd theme for our movement is Action. NFTY is partnering with Metro IAF’s Do Not Stand Idly By campaign and the Religious Action Center (RAC) as teens across the country take direct action in their local communities through mayoral advocacy, congregational engagement, and local action. Read more about what's happening on the NFTY blog, and hear from NFTY-TOR's Maddie Newman about why she's wearing orange on June 2.

Join Over a Dozen Organizing Mayor Visits on June 2
Listed below are the cities partnering with the Don’t Stand Idly By campaign to meet with their mayor on June 2 and advocate for smart gun technology! NFTY teens in these cities have volunteered to lead this effort.

If you live in one of these cities and are interested in joining us, please fill out this form.

San Francisco, CA | Boulder, CO | Washington DC | Miami, FL | Chicago, IL Overland Park, KS | Minneapolis, MN | St. Louis, MO | Cleveland, OH | Southlake, TX

Don’t see your city? There are a number of ways that you can take action and advocate for gun violence prevention around June 2nd...

Incorporate Gun Violence Awareness into Shabbat on June 3
This year we are hoping that the entire Reform Movement can “Wear Orange” together. The RAC has developed a Wear Orange Shabbat Toolkit to use in your congregations on June 3rd. We encourage you to share this toolkit with your clergy and urge them to take part in this action throughout the weekend.
Contact Your Members of Congress
Another way to take action to advocate to your federal elected officials by filling out the Religious Action Center’s action alert regarding gun violence in the United States. Currently, many people are still able to legally purchase guns at gun shows and online, even if they would be prohibited from doing so in a store. Urge your Members of Congress to support legislation to improve our background check system on gun sales, which would further prevent gun violence. 
Wear Orange on June 2nd and Share on Social Media
Wear clothing with the color orange on June 2nd to continue to raise awareness about gun violence. To show your support and #WearOrange, change your Twitter and Facebook profile pictures using Everytown for Gun Safety's filter and urge your friends to as well. Print out this placard, take a picture of yourself on June 2nd and post on social media why you are wearing orange, using the hashtags #NFTY and #WearOrange.