Belleville is throwing its support behind The Orange Campaign, a United Nations campaign to eliminate violence against women and girls.
Jan Sosiak of Grandmother Advocacy Network and Aruna Alexander of the United Nations Association Quinte branch appeared before Belleville city council recently outlining out the campaign to raise awareness and take action to end the violence.
Sosiak said that during the 16 days of activism the UN calls upon UN partners to focus on these issues, affecting all classes, including refugees, migrants, and indigenous peoples.
Alexander told council the symbolic act of lighting up city hall and landmarks with orange will illuminate the goal of every girl and woman in the city to live a life free of violence.
They asked that the city light up city hall and other landmarks for one day during the 16 days, but Councillor Jack Miller had a different idea.
Miller said the light-up should be throughout the campaign.
Mayor Taso Christopher also suggested city managers display the colour orange in their dress during that period.
City council supported the campaign from November 25 to December 10, lighting up the city landmarks, including Belleville’s new name sign.
