Massachusetts White Ribbon Day 2008
Jane
Doe Inc. celebrated the first annual Massachusetts White Ribbon Day on
February 14, 2008. At the State House and dozens of local activities in
schools, businesses and communities, thousands of men and boys throughout
the Commonwealth took the pledge and demonstrated the power of believing
in change. This historic campaign marks a new day in the 30-year anti-violence
movement as men join together to take responsibility for ending men’s
violence against women, sexual assault and domestic violence. As Massachusetts
experiences record rates of domestic violence related homicides and reports
of rape and sexual assault remain a daily occurrence, the campaign’s
primary goal of prevention could not be more timely and necessary.
STATE HOUSE RALLY
Campaign Honorary Chair Governor Deval Patrick and Campaign Co-Chairs
Paul Cellucci and Peter Roby welcomed nearly 400 guests to the State House
for a morning event. The room reflected the diversity of support for and
involvement in the campaign – from advocacy groups and government
to academia and sports. Also on hand were Lt. Governor Timothy Murray,
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Commissioner John Auerbach, MIRA (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee
Advocacy) Coalition Director Ali Noorani and Boston Celtics Power Forward
Leon Powe.
Sexual
assault survivor and noted author Richard Hoffman also shared his story,
highlighting the poignancy of the campaign and the need to break the silence.
Mary
Lauby, JDI’s Executive Director, urged the crowd to turn the energy
from the day’s events into a long-term commitment to work with the
Coalition to restore the capacity of Massachusetts to meet the needs of
survivors and to realize the promise of prevention in creating a world
free of abuse. Craig Norberg-Bohm, coordinator of the Men’s Initiative
for Jane Doe Inc., highlighted the dozens of inspiring and creative ways
that JDI’s member organizations and allied partners are engaging
men and boys in this work.
To
view a photo gallery of the event, click on this link and then choose
Events: White Ribbon 2008.
http://www.printroom.com/pro/ileneperlmanphoto.
To read Leon Powe's remarks, click
here.
Return
to White Ribbon Day home page
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