In anticipation of the San Francisco Opera’s newest contemporary opera production, Innocence, local and national leaders in the gun violence prevention movement came together for the Beyond Innocence Symposium. This event acted as a platform for community activists, policy advocates, artists, and movement leaders to discuss how gun violence is now ingrained in many communities and how art and activism can heal these wounds.

As a central community partner in this work, the UCSF San Francisco Wraparound Project and its founder, Dr. Rochelle Dicker, joined the panel of experts, bringing an important perspective on gun violence as a public health issue. Dr. Dicker reiterated the importance of connecting her work as a trauma surgeon to the critical work of her colleagues in violence prevention out in the community, bringing humanity, humility, and relevance to affect real change.

Learn more about Wraparound’s support of the SF Opera’s Innocence.

Members of the ZSFG team could also be found the following day, participating in the #WearOrange march across the Golden Gate Bridge. Organized by Northern California Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Safety, and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the annual march brings much-needed attention to the critical work affecting policies and laws in our local communities.

And later that same week, on #WearOrange Day, the messages around the need to end gun violence could be seen on ZSFG’s campus, with a gathering of health care providers outside of the trauma center, reminding the hospital community of the importance of this work for the health of the community.