ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The City of Rockford named June 7th, 2019 “Gun Violence Awareness Day” and will light up the Morgan Street Bridge and other buildings in orange in commemoration.

The event marks the start of “Wear Orange Weekend” around the nation.

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara says the day calls attention to a national issue, “just to bring awareness to the violence going on, not just in the city of Rockford but across the country, specifically with firearms,” he said.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day is recognized on the first Friday in June.