People affected by gun violence speak out for Wear Orange Weekend

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- There were three more shootings in the City of Milwaukee overnight on June 2. Fortunately, all the victims are expected to be okay.

Those shootings happened as we enter National Gun Violence Awareness Month.

At a special event in Milwaukee Saturday, families of gun violence victims demanded lifesaving solutions.

Gun violence awareness activists say this weekend is Wear Orange Weekend, part of their efforts to get the word out about supporting legislation and other means that they say could help curb gun violence.

Ahead of their Paint The City Orange Peace Walk down Sherman Boulevard, past the images of Milwaukee gun violence victims, many people who have had gun violence effect their lives spoke.

Their words speak for themselves.

"My name is Shannon Allen, and my son Deandre Allen was murdered December 26th of 2016," said Shannon Allen.

"My name is Linda Carter, my son is James Carter, he was murdered May 28th last year," said Linda Carter.

"My name is Julie Powells, my son, Marquise Powells, was killed February 17th of this year. He was shot multiple times," said Julie Powells.

"My youngest son, Jakari, who unfortunately was tragically taken from me, the ultimate sin was committed by his biological father, who selfishly and viciously decided to execute my son Jakari," said Melody Villanueva.

"My son was Steven Perkins, and he passed away January 1st of this year," said another mother.

Ashanti Hamilton, director of The Office of Violence Prevention, read a proclamation from Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

"That Milwaukee is working to end senseless violence with the evidence-based solutions and protecting public safety is among the highest priorities for the City of Milwaukee," said Hamilton, reading the proclamation.

Wear Orange Weekend started in 2013 when 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was killed in Chicago.

Pendleton's favorite color was orange, so her friends commemorated her life by wearing the color to try and prevent more gun violence.

Wear Orange is now observed across the nation.