Activists, city and state officials, parents and community members rallied to stop gun violence during a march Sunday in North Portland.

The Orange Walk to End Gun Violence, held at Peninsula Park, was one of nearly 100 taking place across the country. The demonstration was to honor survivors and victims of gun violence and commemorate Monday's third anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook school in Newtown, Connecticut.

Several speakers addressed the crowd of about 300, most wearing orange and carrying signs, before walking a lap around the park. Many spoke about wanting better gun laws and the role voters play in electing officials who will advocate for reform. Others spoke of those they had lost to gun violence.

Gov. Kate Brown, recognizing the victims and survivors of Sandy Hook, the 2012 shooting at Clackamas Town Center and the recent mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, said she was proud of the bill requiring background checks on private gun sales she signed into law in May. But it's not enough, she said.

"These incidents have changed our lives forever," Brown said. "Unfortunately there is much more work to be done and I look forward to working with legislators."

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales commended and thanked legislators who had worked to create stricter gun laws. He spoke of the city's "terrible new record" as gang violence hit a historic high this year, referencing a shooting near high school and times he has visited wounded police officers.

"We can change these dismal statistics," Hales said. "This is not normal. We must come together on this big intractable problem and do something."

Yet the conversation also centered around victims of gun violence. Andy Parker, whose daughter Alison was killed during a live TV broadcast in Moneta, Virginia, described her as "a bolt of lightning" who "died in love with life." He stood with his wife, Barbara.

Paul Kemp said his last memory of his brother in-law, Steve Forsyth, was from his son's birthday party two days before Forsyth was killed at the Clackamas Town Center shooting.

Jenna Yuille's mother, Cindy, was also shot and killed at the mall.

"She's not in a better place and this didn't happen for a reason," she said to the crowd. "You have no idea how much it means just to see all of you guys here."

Emma Gray of Tualatin participated in the walk with her two daughters. She wanted to do her part to send a message to legislators that Americans want "common sense gun reform," she said.

"It's raining, it's cold, we're still out here," Gray said. "I think its time that our legislators hear a louder voice."

The Orange Walk was sponsored by the Oregon Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety. Other speakers included Anneliese Davis, volunteer chapter leader with the Oregon chapter of Moms Demand Action; Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America; and Kimberley Dixon of Enough is Enough PDX. Watch the video for comments from each speaker.

--Laura Frazier

lfrazier@oregonian.com

503-294-4035

@frazier_laura