Zonta Helps Bring Message for Gender Violence

Silhouettes Representing Local Victims of Gender Violence

Sixty orange silhouettes lining one wall inside the Lamar City Complex are the first of 318 that will be displayed from now until December 10.  The 318 represent the number of victims of violence in the 15^th Judicial District for the current year.  Members of the Lamar Zonta Club are raising awareness for the 16 Days of Activism against gender violence, beginning this past November 25 with a proclamation sanctioned by the Lamar City Council. Local businesses are displaying signs, posters and orange and purple ribbons highlighting the 16 days between International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women, to International Human Rights Day n December 10.  Individuals are also wearing distinctive orange bracelets.  

Debbie Reynolds, Lamar Librarian said the 318 victims will be represented on the Complex walls with the representation of victims as 120 women, 19 men, 98 girls and 81 boys.  A banner has been draped across Main Street in Lamar stating, “Zonta Says No” regarding an end to the violence.  It’s hoped that attendance for this year’s Zonta Holiday Home Tour will surpass last year’s numbers.  The proceeds help support the work of the Domestic Safety Resource Center which serves four counties in southeast Colorado, including Prowers County.  More information is available at www.zontasaysno.com.

By Russ Baldwin