ADVISORY

White Ribbon Campaign highlights to include campus rally, speech by founder

11:45 a.m. Wednesday (April 11) The Pit (near Student Stores)

6:30 p.m. Wednesday (April 11) The Cabaret, Student Union

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill White Ribbon Campaign is an effort organized by campus men to end men’s violence against women. For a week, beginning today (April 9), 200 campus men will circulate around campus raising discussions about gender violence and asking men to sign a pledge condemning violence against women. They will also distribute white ribbons to those who sign and accept donations for UNC’s sexual assault prevention programs.

Members represent a variety of campus groups, including student government, athletics and fraternities.

Highlights of the week include the following two events, both occurring Wednesday (April 11):

Rally in the Pit, 11:45 a.m.: Members of the campaign will congregate in the Pit and speak out against rape, domestic violence, sexual abuse and other violence against women.

Speech by Michael Kaufman, 6:30 p.m., UNC Student Union: The international White Ribbon Campaign founder will give a free, public lecture on men’s role in ending gender violence. A workshop, led by Kaufman, for campaign members will follow the lecture.

"This campaign is really about giving men a chance to voice their opinions," said student organizer Bharath Parthasarathy. "Our silence on the issue allows the violence to continue against our girlfriends, sisters and all the women that we care about."

This year’s theme is "Allies at All Times." "Our theme will challenge men to examine all the many forms of aggression that face women," said student William Harcombe, chair of the UNC White Ribbon Campaign. "We witness it every day and yet do not speak. This year’s theme will allow men to broaden the scope of the stance that they are taking."

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