Mayor Dan Sullivan of Anchorage, Alaska has declared November to be the say 'No' to bullies month. Gay citizens all over Anchorage scratched their heads over a mayor who would veto an assembly ordinance that would essentially stop 'bullies' and their personal dislike of gay people from renting to gay people, he vetoed an ordinance that would protect gay people in the employment sector.
But he said that, "Bullying occurs far too often and we need to stop this hurtful behavior."
Jazz Greats Concert on Friday is a benefit for the Bye Bye Bullies, an international anti-bullying organization based in Anchorage. This program is an excellent cause to promote an awareness of bullying in our school systems. Albeit, strangely enough, it is not something that is taught in the Anchorage School District wrote Bent Alaska.
The Bullying Awareness Declaration goes something like this:
Bullying Awareness Month
WHEREAS, we must safeguard schools for our children, and, through our recognition of the serious issues that face them each day, offer our children an environment that holds promise and security; and
WHEREAS, many organizations, school districts, educators and parents have publicly expressed concern about the bullying of children; and
WHEREAS, it is important that we acknowledge and heighten awareness about the serious issues and the negative effects of bullying, including the long-term damage it can cause in our youth, which may include the risks of teenage suicide; and
WHEREAS, providing a safe physical and emotional environment is a significant goal and a personal responsibility of each individual; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to speak out AGAINST bullying and FOR our children; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Dan Sullivan, on behalf of the citizens of Anchorage do hereby proclaim the month of November 2009 as
BULLYING AWARENESS MONTH
in the city of Anchorage and encourage the community to acknowledge and address the important issue of bullying and work to prevent it from affecting our children.
Bye-Bye Bullies, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the protection of individuals and preventing violence in schools and much more. Founded by attorney Dennis Maloney, Bye-Bye Bullies organized the Violence Prevention Under the Midnight Sun conference in Anchorage, Alaska, the first national conference on bullying.
The Jazz Greats concert features two wonderful musicians, Jeff Golub & Rick Braun
This is indeed, a wonderful cause. Since Mayor Dan Sullivan has developed a sudden case of sympathy, or a ravenous need for future votes, perhaps he will now consider the Ordinance that protects gay rights too? After all gay citizens should have the right to live and work without fear of reprisal because of our sexual orientation. Just as our children deserve to go to school and live their lives and not be bullied!
The mayor was swift and decisive in his decision to veto the assembly ordinance that would have protected gay people and families from discrimination. Hopefully he will be just as swift and decisive to make the Bullying Awareness month a part of our school district too.
So, Mayor Sullivan; what say you?
Say YES to Ordinance 64! And NO to bullies!
Comments