City Of San Antonio: District 8 Councilman Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month By Lighting Several Downtown Buildings Purple

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

Friday, October 1, 2021

CONTACT: Erin Nichols, 210-207-2881
Erin.Nichols2@sanantonio.gov

SAN ANTONIO (October 1, 2021) — In recognition of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in honor of all victims and survivors of domestic violence, several downtown buildings including San Antonio City Hall, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and the Tower of the Americas will be lit up in purple beginning today, October 1. Councilman Manny Pelaez made the request to shed a light on domestic violence, which continues to be a critical health and public safety issue in our community.

“In Texas, Bexar County ranks in the top five counties for domestic violence-related homicides. This is unacceptable” said Councilman Pelaez. “I’m asking all of San Antonio to join the fight against domestic violence and raise awareness about this crisis by taking a picture of one of these iconic City landmarks and sharing it on your social media or with friends and loved ones. We cannot let domestic violence stay in the darkness. Thank you to City staff and Landry’s, Inc. for helping us light up downtown purple.”

Councilman Pelaez served as the General Counsel for The Battered Women and Children’s Shelter, Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. for 10 years. His mom, Marta Pelaez, is the president and CEO of the nonprofit organization, whose mission is to break the cycle of violence and strengthen families by providing the necessary tools for self-sufficiency through delivery of emergency shelter, transitional housing, effective parenting education, and specialized intervention with youth and the elderly.

“Lighting public buildings purple during the month of October sends San Antonians an important and powerful message that we stand in solidarity with victims and survivors of domestic violence,” said Marta Pelaez. “Additionally, it shows that we resist a culture of abuse that allows domestic violence, child abuse and teen violence to continue to have a presence in our city. Domestic violence can impact anyone regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is the most important social issue, directly related to all others. Domestic violence pains too many and it matters to all.”

The Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence (CCDV) is also asking residents and businesses to participate in a county-wide campaign as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Purple Porch SA initiative invites the public to shine a light on domestic violence by turning their porch lights purple this October to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The public can voice their support for healthy relationships by turning their porch purple, either with a purple lightbulb, adding a purple wreath or purple décor to their entryway, and then snapping a photo of their decorated doorway.

The public is encouraged to use the hashtag #PurpleSA or #DVAMSA or #PurplePorchSA when sharing a photo of the downtown buildings, their doorways, or porch. Additional buildings that will be lit purple include University Health’s Robert B. Green campus. In addition, people can tag the CCDV on social media using the handle @dv-commission. Individuals and organizations can download a Purple Porch SA social media toolkit from CCDV.org.

Media can access photos of City Hall via this link: City Hall Photos.

If you think you may be in an unhealthy relationship and need help, call the Family Violence Prevention Services 24/7 hotline at 210-733-8810 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799- SAFE (7233). Information about the City-County Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence, including local resources is available at CCDV.org.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.