Unity Day: What It Is, How To Participate In Del Mar

DEL MAR-CARMEL VALLEY, CA — Unity Day, a nationwide event created by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center to stand up against bullying, is Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Unity Day has been recognized in the United States since 2011. Ellen DeGeneres was the first celebrity to participate in the event, and last year, even Disney and ABC participated in Unity Day. People who want to participate are encouraged to wear and share orange to color the country, and even the world, visibly showing that society believes no child should experience bullying, according to PACER.

"Orange provides a powerful, visually compelling expression of solidarity," Paula Goldberg, executive director of PACER Center, said in a statement.

"Whether it's hundreds of individuals at a school wearing orange, store owners offering orange products, or a community changing a landmark to orange, the vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, sending the supportive, universal message that bullying is never acceptable behavior."

In recent years on Unity Day, students across San Diego County have celebrated with assemblies, posters, mascots, civic discussions and police participation culminating with an anti-bullying pledge.

Here's how to participate in Unity Day:

• Wear something orange you already have, such as clothing, jewelry or accessories.
• Design your own inexpensive orange item, such as a bracelet made from construction paper or ribbon.
• Print and wear the "Why I'm Wearing Orange" badge to prompt conversations about Unity Day.
• Get involved online: Go orange on social media, post photos wearing orange and tag them #UnityDay2019, share your pictures to the 2019 Facebook event page, and send your photos to bullying411@PACER.org to be featured in the annual Facebook album.

Learn more about Unity Day on PACER's website.

Patch staffers Emily Holland and Paige Austin contributed to this report.

As part of a national reporting project, Patch has been looking at society's roles and responsibilities in bullying and a child's unthinkable decision to end their own life in hopes we might offer solutions that save lives.

Do you have a story to tell? Are you concerned about how your local schools handle bullies and their victims?

Email us at bullies@patch.com and share your views in the comments.