SEATTLE — Hundreds of people put on orange, marched over the I-90 bridge and came together Sunday at Sam Smith Park in Seattle to draw attention to gun violence.
The event was part of a nationwide effort, bringing victims and advocates together.
"My entire life, I've grown up seeing news reports of school shootings, and I think it's unacceptable and it's time we take a stand and make change," activist Kyungmin Yook said.
People of all ages, including students, parents and local political leaders, spoke out about gun violence and how they believe something needs to be done.
"I think gun violence has plagued our country to the point people are scared to go anywhere, and I think it's really important to recognize people that are fighting to prevent gun violence, as well as recognize people who have died as a result,” Yook said.
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"From a nightclub in Florida to a concert in Las Vegas to a mall in Burlington, that's why we are here, because we can make efforts to reduce gun violence in our country. We can pass commonsense gun reform," Rep. Suzan DelBene said.
Another activist, Ruqaiyah Damrah, said, "I came out to honor the 100 people who are killed every day from gun violence and the hundreds more who are injured." "When we see all these people come out and support us, it gives us hop, and it rekindles our optimism that there is still a chance to end gun violence." Damrah said.
Some in attendance said they came because they know what it’s like to lose a loved one to gun violence.
Robert Schentrup, who lost his sister in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, said, “I lost my sister, Carmen Schentrup, in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting back on Feb.14, 2018, and I got involved shortly after." “We lose over 40,000 Americans every single year due to gun violence, and we've actually lost more Americans to gun violence in our own country than we've lost in wars overseas," said Schentrup.
There was also a mural painted by a man who lost his son in the Parkland shooting.
Manual Oliver is that man. He calls the mural “Wall of Demand” and has created 26 of them across the country.
Oliver’s son, Joaquin Oliver, was killed. He put 17 flowers on the wall to remember the 17 people killed in that shooting last year.
Oliver said, “This is flower 18 -- sadly but true, for the next victim.”
There were more than 700 events like the one at Sam Smith Park that took place across the country this weekend.