Fort St. John participates in Pink Shirt Day

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Today is Pink Shirt Day, a day for people to wear pink in recognition of anti-bullying efforts far and wide.

The idea for the day was created by two Nova Scotia high school students in 2007. Since then, it has become a fundraiser and way for organizations to show their support for the cause.

Today is also the only day of the year you see this many RCMP officers wear pink.

North Van RCMP goes PINK We're showing our support by wearing our @pinkshirtday shirts Kindness is one size fits all pic.twitter.com/LZU56hO8xI

— North Vancouver RCMP (@nvanrcmp) February 24, 2016

#burnabyrcmp supports #PinkShirtDay by taking a stand against bullying #kindnessmatters @bcRCMP @CityofBurnaby pic.twitter.com/fXkWFoenXz

— Burnaby RCMP (@BurnabyRCMP) February 24, 2016

Pink is the new black The @KelownaRCMP are proud to show our support for #PinkShirtDay by wearing our pink shirts! pic.twitter.com/uwgeTuKBXa

— Kelowna RCMP (@KelownaRCMP) February 24, 2016

And it has to be the only day of the year you would see a police dog wear a pink shirt, too.

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 Department (@deltapolice) February 24, 2016

Here in Fort St. John, Pink Shirt Day is an initiative that draws enthusiastic participation. At Robert Ogilvie Elementary school, Pink Shirt Day wasn’t just acknowledged today. Leadership students, RCMP liaison officers and guest speakers presented at assemblies throughout the month.

And, today, North Peace Secondary School wrapped up t-shirt sales at the school, where one student usually spearheads the operation and campaigns Pink Shirt Day.

“We’ve been promoting the shirt-wearing for today, but also conversations around social responsibility,” Vice-Principal Jason Gill told Energetic City. The school embraces the Erase Bullying program, which is part of the Ministry of Education.

Erase Bullying provides a way for students to report bullying while maintaining some anonymity.

“To think we’re ever going to remove it altogether is a bit of a stretch,” he said. Gill emphasized the focus on teach children to stand up for themselves in their education.

After Pink Shirt Day has come and passed, Gill said the focus shifts to bringing awareness to domestic abuse with black t-shirts in April and May. The shirts read ‘my strength’ on them, and an entire day is set aside to recognize the message that comes with them.

Already, Gill said, leadership students are starting to discuss this event.

Fort St. John’s city hall is lit up with pink lights today, to recognize the campaign.

As for the rest of Canada today, participation is no where near short either. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke out about Pink Shirt Day on Twitter this morning.

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

Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, also spoke out about the day and posted a selfie in a pink shirt.

It’s always a good time to be kind… to yourself and to others. #PinkShirtDay #PinkItForward -Sophie pic.twitter.com/tRtNJG6oFP

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 24, 2016