MYSTICS TO SUPPORT EVERYTOWN’S WEAR ORANGE CAMPAIGN

To bring awareness to National Gun Violence Awareness Day, the Washington Mystics will support Everytown’s annual Wear Orange campaign on June 5. The purpose of National Gun Violence Awareness Day is to raise awareness on the nation’s gun violence crisis and the disproportionate impact it has on Black communities.

Mystics guard Natasha Cloud will participate in the Wear Orange campaign and will continue her work to raise awareness on the issue of gun violence affecting many communities. Cloud is joined by NBA coach Steve Kerr and athletes from various sports such as MLB player Tim Anderson, Olympian Hilary Knight, and NFL player DeAndre Washington to name a few, in Everytown’s I Wear Orange Because public service announcement.

Nelson Mandela said, “Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation,” said Natasha Cloud. “It’s real simple. Guns are the second leading cause of death in children and teens around our country. I choose to wear orange to make sure I’m doing everything in my power to ensure the safety of every child; especially within our minority communities.”

The Mystics will have a virtual toolkit available for fans to provide them with information on how to get involved in the Wear Orange campaign. Included in the toolkit will be information on gun safety, gun violence statistics, ways fans can Go Orange by changing their social profile, Wear Orange signs, and select organizations working on the issue. Fans are encouraged to support Mom’s Demand Action’s fundraising efforts to support organizations who are committed to ending gun violence and the impact of racial injustice.

Fans will be able to visit the team’s website to share their own messages on why they are Wearing Orange.

To show the team’s solidarity for the campaign, Capital One Arena turned its lights orange on June 4 and will do so again on June 5 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.