Staff with Pattison Media's Lethbridge division wearing pink shirts as part of Pink Shirt Day on February 28, 2024. (Photo: Pattison Media)

By Justin Goulet

Pink Shirt Day promotes anti-bullying and kindness

Feb 28, 2024 | 10:41 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Canadians are encouraged to wear pink on Wednesday.

February 28, 2024 marks Pink Shirt Day and aims to raise awareness about the impacts of bullying, particularly in schools. It’s an initiative recognized every year in both Canada and New Zealand.

In Canada, it is held on the last Wednesday in February while in New Zealand, it is observed on the third Friday of May.

The initiative started in 2007 after a student in Nova Scotia was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. Two fellow teens then bought and distributed 50 pink shirts as a show of solidarity. In recognition of these events, the Premier of Nova Scotia, Rodney MacDonald, proclaimed the second Thursday of September, which aligned with the start of each school year, as ‘Stand Up Against Bullying Day’.

In 2008, then-Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell, declared February 27 as a provincial anti-bullying day. A year later, New Zealand joined the cause and celebrated its first Pink Shirt Day.

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Today, the colour is worn to encourage people to be inclusive, welcoming and supportive of their colleagues, classmates, friends and family.

In Lethbridge, the Holy Spirit School Division said Our Lady of the Assumption School will hold a Pink Shirt Day assembly and activity Wednesday afternoon. Staff and students across the division will be wearing pink shirts. The Lethbridge School Division said its schools will recognize the day as well.

Post-secondary students are also encouraged to participate.

This week, the University of Lethbridge has hosted activities to raise awareness of sexual and gender-based violence. The post-secondary added that its Student Affairs team regularly hosts initiatives aimed at addressing proxies related to bullying, including highlighting consent and respect, and maintaining a Harassment and Discrimination Policy.

READ MORE: U of L to focus on consent as part of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Week

PROVINCIAL STATEMENTS

Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton issued the following statement for Pink Shirt Day:

“I’m proud to join millions of Albertans and Canadians on Pink Shirt Day in taking a stand against bullying in all its forms. Bullying is never acceptable and always preventable, especially when we work together as allies. Each and every one of us has the power to make a difference by creating safe and inclusive environments wherever we go. Sometimes it is the smallest actions that make the biggest difference.

By demonstrating kindness and modelling healthy relationships with our friends, family, co-workers and within our community, we can help prevent bullying and the devastating long-term health and social impacts it can have. If you are experiencing bullying, please know that help is available by calling or texting the confidential 24-7 Bullying Helpline at 310-1818 or by using the online webchat.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides said the following:

“All students have the right to feel safe, welcome and included. On Pink Shirt Day, we follow in the footsteps of the courageous students who started it all back in 2007, standing up proudly to show that bullying has no place in school – or anywhere else.

When we wear our pink shirts each year, we’re reminding ourselves and each other that doing the right thing is even more powerful when you do it together. Whether in the classroom or out in the community, making sure nobody is left out is a simple way to foster a culture of kindness.”

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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