The Toronto Raptors team launched an awareness campaign to celebrate the "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" in Canada, urging federal lawmakers to recognize the first Friday of June to ensure more action is taken on gun control.

The first Friday of June has been designated as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" in U.S. cities since 2015.

As part of a joint statement on behalf of the organization, John Wiggins, Vice President of Raptors Organizational Culture, said, "To solve a problem, you have to acknowledge the problem exists."

Wiggins said: "The tragic mass shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and now Tulsa reminded us of the stark reality of gun violence in the United States – and all national-level conversations reached the conclusion that gun violence doesn’t stop at the border."

Quoting data from Statistics Canada, Wiggins says firearm-related homicides have increased by 37 percent over the past 11 years, noting gaps in data collection.

The same report found that firearms were present in approximately 75 percent of violent robberies in 2020. Firearms were responsible for 60 percent of homicides and other violations, death, and attempted murders.

Wiggins said, "To solve a problem, you have to acknowledge the problem exists."

"Well, families and communities in Toronto and across Canada affected by gun violence can tell you it exists, and that’s real. Our goal is to present this petition to the House of Commons and make this day an annual occasion to honor survivors and victims who have been affected."

"Since 2015, U.S. cities have celebrated the first Friday of June as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. This day was established to honor Hadiya Pendleton, 15, who was shot dead in a Chicago park, Illinois."

"The movement has since grown significantly and now honors all survivors and victims of gun violence in the country."

Edited by: Dima Abu Khair