23 November 2007

Kapiti world’s first White Ribbon Council

Kapiti Coast District Council yesterday voted to become the first White Ribbon Council in New Zealand and, possibly, the world.

Wickham Pack, on behalf of Amnesty International and Peace Action Kapiti, made an impassioned plea to the Council meeting asking for their support for the upcoming White Ribbon anti-violence day and proposing that the Council show more than tacit support by becoming a White Ribbon Council.

The White Ribbon campaign was started by a men’s movement in Canada in 1991 and has been officially adopted by the United Nations as its International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

“I have done my research and I know that this would make the Kapiti Coast District Council the first White Ribbon Council in New Zealand but I believe it may also be the first in the world,” Ms Pack said.

Councillors voted to become a White Ribbon Council and asked for a report on the various activities the council is currently engaged in that relate to the care of young and old, male and female to see how it can give practical and effective application to the anti-violence stance.

“This is a great day for the Kapiti Coast,” Mayor Jenny Rowan said. “I have been active against violence for more than 25 years and I’m very pleased that this Council has taken the opportunity to put a stake in the ground and to make its stance public.

“Through various community and youth programmes the Council runs or supports, we are implicitly against violence or abuse of any kind. By becoming a White Ribbon Council we give clear evidence of our stance and make explicit what was only implied of inferred before.”

Kapiti’s White Ribbon Day 2007will be celebrated today (Friday 23 November) from 1.00pm until 3.00pm at low tide on Paraparaumu Beach.

The Voices Against Violence Action Group passed a motion recently, to extend the pledge to “Eliminate Violence Against Men, Women and Children”. This position best reflects Kapiti’s view that Family Violence toward anyone is not ok.

STOPPING THE TIDE OF VIOLENCE

Kapiti White Ribbon Day – 23 November 2007

Event Timetable.

1.00 Bagpipes X 4 play at spots along the beach to welcome people.

1.10 Public and organisers assemble on beach at the point off Ocean Road. A sign will be posted indicating the place to meet. Collect your white ribbons at the beach from coordinators.

1.20 Get people in a line and join hands to stop the tide of violence

1.30 Kapiti Aero Club fly over with banner and with news cameraman on board.

1.32 The pipers will call public and dignitaries. The group will the walk towards Boating Club and will gather others along the way.

1.40 Karanga and Kapa Haka to welcome the group to the Boating Club.

2.00 Blessing by Ake Taiaki (Kaumatua), speeches by Mayor, Doug Fake (Kapiti Men for Non Violence), Heather Henare, Temuera Morrison and Cliff Curtis.

2.15 Kapa Haka / light refreshments.

ends

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