Statement by Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan on Red Dress Day:
EDMONTON – “Today is Red Dress Day. It’s a day to honour and bring awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been subject to violence in disproportionate and horrific numbers.”
“The numbers of victims may be in the thousands. It’s hard to grasp the pain that so many Indigenous families suffer as a result of our country’s inability – or unwillingness – to stop this epidemic of violence.”
“The Alberta Federation of Labour stands in solidarity with Leah Gazan, M.P. and her challenge to the federal government to begin a “Red Dress Alert” to notify the public when an Indigenous woman, girl, or two-spirit person goes missing.”
“We can and must do better as a society for all Indigenous women and girls. Instead of just mourning, we have to stop them from becoming ‘murdered and missing’ in the first place.”
Ways you can show your support on May 5th:
- Wear a red dress, or shirt
- Post to social media and use the hashtags: #RedDressDay, #NoMoreStolenSisters, and #MMIWG2S
- Send a letter to your MP asking them to support setting up a “Red Dress Alert”
- Hang a red dress in your window, outside your door or establishment
- Safely attend an event, prayer circle or candlelight vigil hosted in your community, if any are taking place
- Watch a documentary or read a book or read the National Inquiry’s final report
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MEDIA CONTACT:
John Ashton
Director of Communications, AFL
E-mail: jashton@afl.org