Pink Shirt Day Gets Bigger And Better

Pink Shirt Day Gets Bigger And Better!

Pink Shirt Day 2010 is just a couple of weeks away on Wednesday 28 April. SS4Q (Safety in Schools for Queers) has been asking organisations, schools and community groups to show their support by signing up to make a stand against bullying.

“Children and young people need to know they will be supported when they speak out about bullying. Schools cannot solve these problems alone,” says SS4Q media spokesperson, Laressa Donaldson.

Bullying is a serious problem in NZ schools; in December 2008 a major international report ranked New Zealand second worst among 37 countries when it comes to bullying in primary schools. “That’s atrocious, Pink Shirt Day is a chance for all of us to make a public stand against bullying and for dignity, equality and respect”.

28 April 2010 is the chance to show your support. You can:

• add your organisation’s name to our list of supporters by emailing us your details

• circulate our website address (www.pinkshirtday.org.nz) and resources (information sheet and poster- email us for these)

• wear pink on Pink Shirt Day – and encourage others to wear pink too

• run your own event- get your school, workplace, community group to make a stand against bullying by wearing pink and hosting your own event

The first Pink Shirt Day took place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when two 17 year old high school students decided to stand up for a friend who had been harassed for wearing a pink shirt to school. The boys, David Shepherd and Travis Price, decided that the bullying had to stop. They went to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops, sent out the message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning handed them to students to wear. When the bullied boy walked in, according to Travis Price, "It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. The bullies were never heard from again."

“Pink Shirt Day is being held on April 14th in Canada this year. Each year it gets bigger and brighter there with more and more support from schools and organisations so it’s fabulous for us to follow in their footsteps and lead a fantastic campaign”.

If you are interested in running an event or would like more information please email Pink Shirt Day Aotearoa for resources and support: info@pinkshirtday.org.nz

ENDS

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