Members’ Statement

Lindsay Blackett, MLA

National Bullying Awareness Week

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

 

• Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

 

• Jamey Rodemeyer [ ROD – e – My –er],
  age 14

 

• Jared Benjamin High, 13

 

• Gary Hansen, 16

 

• Dawn-Marie Wesley, 14

 

• Megan Meier [MY – er], 13

 

• Mr. Speaker, these are young people across North America who were so tormented and traumatized by repeated bullying, that they chose to end their life, rather than open another vicious facebook message or suffer through another day of homophobic taunting.

 

• Their deaths are society’s loss, and heartbreaking for their families and friends who loved them.

 

• Tragically, youth are bullied every day, right here in Alberta.

 

• It is senseless and unjustifiable aggression.

 

• Bullying, in any form, in any place, is unacceptable.

 

• So too, is being a complicit bystander or witness without standing up to reverse it.

 

• November 13-19 was National Bullying Awareness Week.

 

• This year, our government supported a call to action led by passionate and courageous youth from Alberta’s Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee.

 

• Children and youth in schools and communities across the province staged awareness activities … sending the message loud and clear to all Albertans that:

 

• Bullying is horrible … it’s wrong … and it’s not a normal part of growing up.

 

• We urge people in all communities to join our call to action to continue raise awareness of bullying and promote a kind, respectful and safe society.

 

• Our actions must speak as loudly as our words.

 

• United, let us take a stand against bullying, help make Alberta bully-free, and save lives.

 

• Not just during National Bullying Awareness Week, but every day.

 

• As a reminder of this, I’m pleased to note that every MLA has been provided with “Stand Up and Stop Bullying” wristbands.

 

• I trust many of them are wearing these bracelets today…

 

• Thank you Mr. Speaker.