Shawn Mendes.Photo: Rich Polk/Getty for iHeartRadio
Shawn Mendesis using his platform for a good cause.
While performing at the 2022 iHeartRadio Wango Tango Festival on Saturday, the “Treat You Better” singer took the opportunity to express his stance against gun violence in the United States.
“We are wearing the color orange to raise awareness to end gun violence in America,” Mendes, 23, said as he stopped mid-performance before urging the crowd to see his post onInstagramabout his partnership with the non-profit organization, Everytown.
According to itswebsite, Everytown is “a movement of more than 8 million moms, mayors, survivors, students, and everyday Americans working to end gun violence.”
“Today is National Gun Violence Awareness day,” he wrote in the caption on Friday. “Tomorrow, I’m performing at@iheartradioWango Tango, and I’ll be in Orange. If you’re coming or you’re tuning in, join me WearOrange🧡.”
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Last month, America suffered another mass shooting when a gunmankilled 19 students and two teachersat Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Less than two weeks prior, an alleged white supremacistkilled ten Black peopleinside a grocery store in Buffalo, New York.
Multiple other fatal shooting incidents have also recently occurred across the country, including at achurchin California, agraduation partyin Georgia, and ahospitalin Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Kevin Winter/Getty for iHeartRadio
On Sunday, while thanking the event’s organizers for having him at the concert, Mendes also showed his appreciation for “everyone who joined me in orange.”
“Congress is getting ready to vote on key gun violence legislation,” he tweeted. “So please text bold to 644-33 & call your senators to tell them to take action on gun safety now#WearOrange.”
Additionally,Ryan Seacrest,Tori Spelling,Jennie Garth, andJonathan Bennettand his husbandJaymes Vaughanwere among the presenters.
source: people.com