People across Canada have been taking a stand against bullying as part of the ‘Pink Shirt Day’ movement.
Individuals across the Edmonton participated in the campaign showing their support in a variety of ways.
A number of students at M.E. LaZerte High School got involved by donning pink shirts which had been emblazoned by printing companies with a ‘no bullies’ logo and text stating that ‘silence is acceptance’.
Banner printing was used to create a giant bright pink anti-bullying banner. The students were then encouraged to sign it as an additional show of support for the campaign.
Other schools in Edmonton took part in their own ways with McNally’s graduation council holding a pink bake sale and raffle while W.P. Wagner’s council distributed pink candy and cards.
Pink Shirt Day began a number of years ago following an incident in which a student at a Nova Scotia high school was bullied after wearing a pink shirt to classes. Classmates came to school the following day wearing pink shirts as a show of support for the student and to make a statement against bullying.
Since 2007 when the students in Nova Scotia first used pink shirts to take a stand against bullying, the movement has caught on and become a nationwide campaign. Last year, 6.4 million people in Canada participated in the campaign and the movement continues to spread beyond schools with people of all ages and from all walks of life showing their support by donning pink shirts.
