Baldwin-Whitehall Vigil To Honor Bullying, Oppression Victims

BALDWIN, PA - The Baldwin-Whitehall School District is planning to host a 36-hour vigil to honor victims of identity-based violence who have been subjected to bullying or oppression based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, orientation or ability. The event will occur from March 21 at 9 am. to March 22 at 9 p.m.

Organized by middle school teachers Daniel Shaner and Anthony Barbano, the vigil will include presentations from community members representing historically oppressed groups and a continuous recitation of victims' names.

“Our goals are to deepen our understanding of social justice and anti-bias,” Shaner said in a district release.. “By honoring and memorializing victims of identity-based violence in this solemn effort, we hope to teach our students, and our broader community, to challenge prejudices of every type and learn how to be agents of change in our own lives.”

Confirmed speakers at the event thus far include:

• Amanda Bairnsfather, Director of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh.

• Amy Kimicata, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape.

• Lee Fishbach and her father and holocaust survivor, Harry Singer.

• Cody McDevitt, award-winning journalist and author of "Banished from Johnstown: Racist Backlash in Pennsylvania."

• Shulamit Bastacky, Holocaust “hidden child” and survivor.

• Tim Stevens, The Black Political Empowerment Project.

• Baldwin High School graduate Tim Hindes, the creator of the Stronger than Hate logo, which was designed in response to the October 2018 Squirrel Hill synagogue shooting

Families, visiting school groups and the public are invited to attend and participate.