Press release from Students Demand Action and Moms Demand Action AVL:
The Asheville chapters of Students Demand Action (SDA) and Moms Demand Action (MDA) — the groups responsible for the 6,000-person March for Our Lives, which took place downtown on March 24 — are planning a weekend of events in honor of National Wear Orange Day/Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 1 and 2, 2018.
In addition to continuing the movement and swell of community support started at March for Our Lives, Asheville SDA/MDA will donate proceeds from the Foos For Our Future event foosball tournament to local families recently affected by gun violence.
The first event, a Wear Orange Scavenger Hunt, will take place on Friday, June 1, in downtown Asheville, and is free for participants. The second event, Foos For Our Future, will be held on Saturday, June 2 outside at Highland Brewing Co. from 12 to 4:30 p.m. It will include a fun round-robin human foosball tournament on a huge inflatable court. (Teams can register in groups of 5 or 6 at kickitevents.com — winners will receive prizes from local Asheville businesses). In addition, attendees can enjoy a free kids’ zone with inflatables, face painting, music, and non-profit booths and tables for other organizations who have missions that align with the gun violence prevention cause.
“With the very tragic domestic violence shootings right here in our own community last month, and just this week, another school shooting in Texas, it is obvious that gun violence is still a huge problem in our society. Our groups are committed to keeping the awareness and conversation going that we desperately still need change,” said Molly Dorgan, a Students Demand Action founding member and sophomore at Tuscola High School.
“It was amazing to see all the people and huge local support for the March, and I hope to see the same crowds at our next events June 1 and June 2. The March was only the beginning; we have to keep this issue top-of-mind for voters, legislators and our community as a whole.”
The events, scheduled for various downtown locations on Friday June 1, and at Highland Brewing Co. Meadow outside on Saturday, June 2, are open to all ages and free, other than a registration fee for participating foosball teams. Community members are encouraged to participate in either or both and to wear orange, the color of the national Wear Orange day movement. Additionally, on Friday night June 1, many local stores and businesses in Asheville will show their solidarity and support for gun violence victims and prevention by lighting up their storefronts, windows and displays in orange. Participating businesses include L.O.F.T., Sensibilities Spa, Instant Karma, MIA Gallery, Indo, and more.
The color orange was chosen to be the symbol of the fight against gun violence in 2013 when 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed in Chicago. Hadiya, an honor student with a promising future, was killed in a case of mistaken identity. Her friends picked the color orange to honor her and to call for gun reform. They chose the shade because orange is what hunters wear to protect themselves from being shot, so it is the color of safety.
Student Demands Action local leader, Reynolds High School senior Aryelle Jacobson, says, “We are wearing and encouraging people to cover the city in orange on June 1 and 2 at these events to show solidarity with this important national movement. Orange is the color chosen in 2013 and has been the symbol ever since. We hope Asheville will show up in orange for these events to participate in whatever way they can, to provide a visible sign no one can miss: we all want a future free from gun violence.”
MORE ABOUT THE EVENTS:
What: Wear Orange Scavenger Hunt
When: Friday, June 1
Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Where: Teams of any size and ages meet at the THE BLOCK off Biltmore, 39 South Market Street, in downtown Asheville, between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. to get started. 39 South Market Street, in downtown Asheville.
For more information: Scavenger Hunt – https://bit.ly/2Is2LFiWhat: Foos For Our Future & Family Fun Event
When: Saturday, June 2
Time: 12:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy Asheville
For more information: Foos For Our Future – https://bit.ly/2k3LYxO
More: Free music, non-profit and local booths, a kids’ fun zone with bouncy house, face-painting, and lots more. Teams of five to six, ages 12+, can register at kickitevents.com to play Human Foosball for a cause on a giant, 20’ x 40’ inflatable foosball court that is tons of fun. Teams will participate in a round-robin format, and winning teams will receive prize baskets filled with items from local businesses. Teams are encouraged to wear fun and memorable orange team “uniforms.” There will also be a prize for the most creative and original team outfits chosen.For media inquiries, contact student organizers at studentsdemandavl@gmail.com.
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