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FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara hopes to lead 1,000 men on a march around town to raise awareness of efforts to stop violence against women.
MacNamara is a leading organizer for “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” an event to promote the White Ribbon Campaign for the Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County. The program will have men and boys wear white ribbons to show that they have signed a pledge to stand up against domestic violence and sexual assault.
White Ribbon Pledge signers and police officers will walk from the Fairfield Center train station down Mill Plain Road, onto the Post Road and toward the Town Hall Green.
“What better way to get the word out that violence against women must stop than to have a huge group of men show their support by walking down the center of town,” MacNamara said in a statement. “Yes, we’ll stop traffic. But if we are able to stop just one act of violence against women, we are taking steps in the right direction.”
Once at the Green, the walkers will stay for an event featuring informational booths, music, food and speakers, including talks from MacNamara and the other five police chiefs of the center’s coverage towns.
So far, the White Ribbon campaign has collected more than 300 signatures from the center's coverage towns of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. The organizers hope to reach 1,000 by April.
“I am working on getting as many people as possible to take part in the walk,” MacNamara said. “Honestly, I don’t want to be walking down the Post Road by myself. Please mark the date on your calendar and join us.”
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is scheduled for April 27, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. Those interested can sign up in advance at the Center for Women and Families website or take the White Ribbon Campaign’s pledge at the program website.
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