Southern Nevadans are invited to join together again to celebrate and promote diversity and inclusion at the third annual ADL Walk Against Hate presented by Barrick Gold. The family-oriented, multi-cultural walk and event will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Sunday, April 28 at Springs Preserve, 333. S. Valley View Blvd.
Local officials and community leaders will participate in the group walk through the Springs Preserve’s desert habitats and through Boom Town, a re-creation of the 1905 Las Vegas streetscape. Musical groups and performance artists will provide lively entertainment before the walk and throughout the course, and local schools will be recognized for their “No Place for Hate®” bullying prevention and anti-bias initiatives. After the event, attendees who are wearing their Walk Against Hate shirts can explore other areas and exhibits in Springs Preserve for no additional charge.
The Walk Against Hate is being organized by the local chapter of ADL, the country’s leading anti-hate organization. ADL’s timeless mission is to fight the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment for all. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.
More than 1,000 people attended last year’s walk.
“We invite the community to get involved and walk with us to take a stand against hate in all its forms, celebrate our differences and share the common belief that injustice everywhere is wrong,” said Adam Petrasich, event co-chair. “Participants come from all walks of life, including students, educators, families, business leaders, and employees. We also encourage people to join together and form groups, such as churches and synagogues and companies and community organizations, for a great day of sharing and caring at Springs Preserve.”
Alana Gross, event co-chair, recognizes the need to keep community dialogue and momentum going. “Sadly there is still a lot of hate, fear and misunderstanding throughout the country and world,” she said. Together, we can change things for the better – for our families and our communities. The ADL Walk Against Hate is a great place to start, one step at a time.”
Channel 13 anchor Tricia Kean returns as the event emcee, and there will be many family friendly booths and other activities, including from Discovery Children’s Museum. For entertainment, ADL has assembled a wide array of performers for both the stage in the Springs Preserve amphitheater and along the walk path that shows diversity and inclusion and truly exemplifies the purpose of the Walk Against Hate. These groups include interactive rhythm circle by Community Productions, Culture Shock, DJ Chyld, Desert Oasis Marching Band and Desert Pines High School Mariachi Los Jaguares, Las Vegas Native Youth Dancers, Taiko Drummers and the UNLV cheerleaders. Performers include students from ADL’s No Place for Hate schools.
The Walk Against Hate will weave through the northwest section of Springs Preserve through various desert habitats and Boomtown 1905, the re-created historical streetscape that tells the story of Las Vegas from 1905 to 1920. Walkers will be able to explore stores and original cottages to get a real sense of what life was like in the city’s early days.
Event proceeds support the ADL’s award-winning A World of Difference® Institute anti-bias and bullying prevention programs for students, teachers, administrators and parents throughout Nevada and No Place for Hate® initiative in K-12 schools. During the program, schools will receive their No Place for Hate® banners for the successful completion of the program that created opportunities for students to engage in active learning and discussion about bias and bullying issues.
Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. with the program at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Walk Against Hate. The cost includes a special event T-shirt. Early bird pricing through Mar. 31 is $20 per adult (age 19 and older) and $10 per school-age child (Toddlers and younger are free.). The price per person rises to $25 beginning April 1, and $30 per person on event day. Check with your company or form a team for discount opportunities. Springs Preserve parking is free.
For registration, information and participation opportunities, visit www.walkagainsthatelv.org, call 702-862-8600 or email Courtney Kravitz at ckravitz@adl.org.
Current Walk Against Hate sponsors are Barrick Gold, Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Ford & Friedman, Guess Inc., KTNV-TV Channel 13, LV Photo, Purdue Marion & Associates, and Reagan Outdoor. More companies and groups are slated to participate.
The ADL Walk Against Hate began in 2010 at ADL Philadelphia, and now includes Las Vegas for the third year in a row and San Diego for its second walk.
About The Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org.
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