John–
On February 12, 2005, I became a survivor. My father was experiencing a mental health crisis and had easy access to a gun—an all too familiar situation in homes across the country. At 49-years-old, he died by firearm suicide.
This coming weekend, I'll be wearing orange to honor my father and all those impacted by gun violence—will you join me?
Be a part of National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend, happening THIS WEEKEND June 2-4: Find an event near you!
In the years since my father's death, I've processed grief in different ways. I came to write and teach about what stories can do both to help us witness loss and foster change. I also became an outspoken advocate for the kind of action that can help save lives. And as a Moms Demand Action volunteer and Everytown Survivor Network Fellow, I've found an incredible community of people dedicated to doing the same.
At the end of this week, I'll be joining them to commemorate National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend. With more than 120 people shot and killed every day in the United States, as well as hundreds more who are wounded, we will use this moment to demand action and make our voices heard.
Together, we can help build a future free from gun violence. And for ourselves and each other, we can turn grief into hope.
Thank you for being a part of this movement, and for helping me honor the memory of my father and of so many others like him. I look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Billie R. Tadros
She/Her/They/Them
Fellow, Everytown Survivor Network
