Stand up Against Bullying Day (a.k.a. Pink Shirt or Pink Protest Day) was originated in Nova Scotia by 17 year old high school students David Shepherd and Travis Price in September, 2007. Verbal taunting and physical threats against a grade nine student, because he wore a pink polo shirt on the first day of school, prompted Shepherd and Price to send a mass email to fellow students asking them to make a statement by wearing pink the following day. The massive ‘sea of pink’ that resulted, not only supported the younger boy tremendously, but silenced the bullies completely.
David Shepherd and Travis Price
The following February, a few communities across North America, including Chestermere, Alberta, lead by their YELL Youth Council, joined the movement sending a message that bullying would not be tolerated in their community. In 2012, the United Nations declared the official international anti-bullying day as May 4th and it is now recognized by over 25 countries worldwide on various dates throughout the year.
Wearing pink, especially on February 25th, communicates community solidarity against bullying.
It is especially important for older male adolescents and adult men
to join this movement to role model that individuals should be respected for who they are and not judged by what they wear.
This year, SYNERGY is distributing ‘Pretty in Pink’ buttons. Specifically designed to capture attention, the subtitle on these buttons is ‘Take a Stand against Bullying’. The buttons are available through YELL and SHOUT members, at the Chestermere Municipal building, Chestermere Lake Middle School, Langdon School and the Waiting Room Café.
A suggested donation of $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for youth, in exchange for a button, will help YELL and SHOUT to support their own programs as well as donate to their chosen 2015 anti-violence charity (Wheatland Crisis Society).
