1000 people needed for this first-ever event
Please note: the starting point has been moved due to the weather. Stand-Up for Safety – Hands Around the Pond will start inside the Belmont High School cafeteria before moving outside depending on weather.
In the spirit of continuing to be a welcoming community, and acknowledging the recent increase in hate crimes across the Commonwealth and nationwide, Belmont Against Racism invites residents of Belmont and surrounding communities to Stand-Up for Safety – Hands Around the Pond on Saturday, December 17th from 1-2 p.m. on the Concord Avenue side of Clay Pit Pond in Belmont.
“Our goal is to bring the community together to reaffirm our commitment to safety and civility,” said, event co-chair Donna Ruvolo. “It is also our hope that residents who are feeling threatened or fearful know that we, as a community, will stand up to discrimination, harassment and bullying.”
The highlight of the event will be a “hands around the pond”, a powerful visual statement of residents standing shoulder to shoulder and linking hands around the pond.
“We calculate that we’ll need about 1000 people joining hands to reach around Clay Pit Pond,” Ruvolo added. “It’s ambitious, but we have already heard from families, teachers, students, religious institutions and civic and youth organizations who are eager to be involved in this unprecedented event.”
In addition, residents will be able to review plans for the proposed Veterans’ Memorial at this location, and to acknowledge the service of local veterans who are currently championing the Memorial project.
Due to the non-political and on-partisan nature of this event, participants are requested to refrain from carrying a sign or wearing clothing that is affiliated with an individual political candidate’s name or slogan. Participants are also encouraged to dress for the elements. Parking is available in the Belmont High School Parking Lot, and walking, biking and car-pooling are encouraged. This is a family friendly event suitable for all ages, but it is requested that all dogs except service dogs are kept at home.
This event is being coordinated by members of the Stand-Up Campaign, a non-political and non-partisan organization committed to kindness, decency and civil discourse. The Stand-Up Campaign is a branch of Belmont Against Racism. Co-sponsors to date include the Belmont Human Rights Commission, The Belmont Veterans Memorial Committee the Belmont Religious Council, and A Path Appears in Belmont : A Campaign to Make A Difference.
For more information, please email Belmont Against Racism or call Donna Ruvolo at 617-797-1365