SASKATOON – Saskatchewan has proclaimed Wednesday Red Cross Day of Pink to raise awareness and fight bullying in the province.
On Wednesday, over 20,000 Saskatchewan children, youth and adults are expected to take a stand during the fourth annual Red Cross Day of Pink.
Hundreds of schools across the province are holding assemblies and various events that help promote respect and celebrate anti-bullying initiatives.
“Day of Pink will encourage students to stand up for their peers and will give strength to those affected by bullying,” said Don Morgan, Saskatchewan’s education minister.
READ MORE: Saskatoon student rally kicks off day of pink
People have been pre-emptively buying official t-shirts and merchandise to celebrate the day. All proceeds go towards bullying prevention education in Saskatchewan.
Red Cross Day of Pink began as Pink Shirt Day in 2007 when two students in the Maritimes stood up to bullying. They asked classmates to wear pink after they heard a male student had been bullied for wearing the colour.
This started a national movement. Red Cross Day of Pink continues this momentum by bringing schools and communities together to create a respectful social environment for all.
“Seeing so many people across the province taking a stand for respect shows how bullying behaviour is no longer socially acceptable,” said Cindy Fuchs, the provincial director for the Canadian Red Cross in Saskatchewan.
In 2013, the province released its action plan to address bullying, which gives Saskatchewanians knowledge and supports to help youth feel safe and accepted.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan going online to tackle bullying and help kids, parents
Saskatchewan’s 2014 budget allocated $815,000 to further support this action plan.
According to Red Cross, about one in five Canadian children are targets of bullying behaviour.
For bullying prevention tips and more information visit a local Red Cross office.
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