Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730
For Immediate Release
Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Bedford Police Department to Participate in White Ribbon Day Campaign
BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno is pleased to announce that the Bedford Police Department will participate in the White Ribbon Day Campaign next month.
Held annually during the first week of March, the campaign is organized by Jane Doe Inc. It asks men to raise their voices and be proud to make a personal and public commitment to promote respect, equality and non-violence, not only in their relationships, but in all aspects of their lives.
For the second year in a row, representatives from the Bedford Police Department, along with peer leaders and athletes from Bedford High School, will attend the event at Faneuil Hall on March 1 to pledge to stand up against violence. Traditionally held at the State House, the campaign was moved to Faneuil Hall this year to accommodate a larger crowd.
“We are honored to once again be participating in the White Ribbon Day Campaign to take a united stance toward ending violence,” Chief Bongiorno said. “This is a commitment that we will continuously work to uphold.”
Bedford Public Schools Superintendent Jon Sills will serve as an ambassador during the White Ribbon Day Campaign, working toward promoting respect, dignity and equality for all while speaking out against attitudes and behaviors that contribute to violence.
“I am very proud of the commitment our young men are making to themselves and to the young women in their lives to refuse to objectify others or treat them disrespectfully,” Superintendent Sill said. “As always, I appreciate the strong working relationship that the Bedford Public Schools has with Chief Bongiorno and the Bedford Police Department.”
Bedford Police will be joined by Bedford resident Richard Callahan, another ambassador, who will attend the March 1 event.
In addition, Callahan and his staff at Callahan’s Karate Studio in Bedford will be wearing White Ribbon Day pins throughout the day to raise awareness.
“I am thrilled to be standing with the Bedford Police Department for such an important cause,” Callahan said. “As an ambassador, I will not only uphold the campaign’s mission on March 1, but will make it a priority to maintain these values every day.”
This year, the White Ribbon Day Campaign introduced a new initiative called “Raise a Flag to Raise Awareness.” The first 100 municipalities and schools that sign up will receive a free White Ribbon Day flag. The groups that receive the flags are encouraged to share the raising of their flags on social media as the men and boys of those communities take the pledge.
“While we certainly need more awareness and continue to educate the community about these issues, we also know that we can’t stop there,” said Toni Troop of Jane Doe Inc. “As an engagement and prevention campaign, White Ribbon Day aims to shift our shared social values that traditionally have fostered, minimized and made excuses for such violence.”
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