Following a series of mass shootings, the Mystics are teaming up with the national ART-ivism nonprofit Soul Box Project to give fans a way to honor lives lost.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the wake of continuing gun violence and mass shootings across the country, the Washington Mystics will host a special Wear Orange game Friday, June 3, 2022, at 7 pm EST when they take on the New York Liberty at Entertainment and Sports Arena in Congress Heights.

This is the 4th season the team has taken part in the national effort with Everytown For Gun Safety that brings together thousands of Americans committed to ending gun violence. Fans are encouraged to wear orange and share photos and message on social media using #WearOrange.

Fans will also be able to honor lives lost to gun violence through a collaboration with the Soul Box Project at the game. The non-profit works to raise awareness of the U.S. gunfire epidemic by creating and exhibiting thousands of hand-folded and decorated origami Soul Boxes representing victims.

Soul Boxes will be display on the concourse at the game. There will be pre-made Soul Boxes for fans to take and decorate in honor of someone they want added to the art display. Fans are also encouraged to create their own Soul Boxes at home and bring them to the game to memorialize lives lost to gun violence.

BACKGROUND:

Soul Box Project: The Soul Box Project is a National ARTivism movement growing as a reaction to unrelenting gun violence.  Across the country, people are feeling exhausted and hopeless as they watch one shooting after another. The Soul Box Project has collected and exhibited more than 200,000 hand-folded origami boxes across the country, including a 200- foot-long display on the National Mall in 2021 to raise awareness of the gunfire epidemic.

Wear Orange: Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor after she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15. Her friends asked people to stand up and speak out, and they inspired a movement. Wear Orange originated on June 2, 2015 – what would have been Hadiya’s 18th birthday. Now, it is observed nationally on the first Friday weekend in June each year.