Bullying is a major problem in our schools, workplaces, homes, and over the Internet. Today many people in Victoria and across Canada participated in Pink Shirt Day to symbolize they will not tolerate bullying.
From humble beginnings supporting one bullied teenager in Nova Scotia, to helping thousands of youth in Canada, here is how Pink Shirt Day started:
“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’ So Mr. Shepherd and some other headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing outScreen Shot 2015-04-01 at 5.25.16 PM the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled. The bullies were never heard from again.”
Here are some photos and video from around Victoria today:
We are proud to support #PinkShirtDay! Let's make some noise and #PinkItForward #kindness @bcRCMP pic.twitter.com/bXUvoQgHDU
— West Shore RCMP (@WestshoreRCMP) February 24, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCL2WcYk_w5/?tagged=yyj
PSD Ice knows standing up to bullies isn't always a walk in the park, but he accepts the challenge #PinkShirtDay pic.twitter.com/dbKCyEVcvO
— Delta Police (@deltapolice) February 24, 2016
Are you ready for #PinkShirtDay tomorrow? Don't forget to #PinkitForward! #YYJ https://t.co/ZRGNxO9dfy pic.twitter.com/pUwsX0WTtq
— Bear Mountain Resort (@BearMountain) February 23, 2016
No more bullies! #PinkItForward #PinkShirtDay #PinkItForward @ILPVictoria @Coast_Capital @grandpacific #yyj pic.twitter.com/j7d2AvuCXO
— Delta Ocean Pointe (@DeltaOceanPoint) February 24, 2016
Our very own @AceK9Saanich will be supporting #PinkShirtDay Feb. 24. Just getting a new @pinkshirtday shirt! #yyj pic.twitter.com/T1v2xgDBvW
— Saanich PD Community (@SaanichPDclssgt) February 19, 2016
#PSDDiesel is ready to go to work to stop bullying. #PinkShirtDay @vicpdcanada pic.twitter.com/6g1vK8jImP
— Victoria Police K9 (@VicPDK9) February 24, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCLJWxuJqsH/?tagged=victoriabuzz
A few from out of town:
On Pink Shirt Day, we stand up to bullying and vow to spread kindness. Please RT and tag a friend to #PinkItForward:https://t.co/QS7fahq8jx
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 24, 2016
We're spreading kindness for #PinkShirtDay. We #PinkItForward to you, @BCLions.
MORE → https://t.co/GqzNbw8X9B pic.twitter.com/J6kQA4Qh0g
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 24, 2016