First Pyramid of Shoes for Handicap International
CNW Telbec
Saturday, September 8, 2007

MONTREAL,  Sept. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Since 1995, French and European citizens have united  each year in more than 40 cities throughout Europe to throw their shoes onto a  pyramid as a sign of protest against anti-personnel landmines and cluster  bombs. A powerful symbolic gesture of solidarity with the victims of these  weapons, the Pyramid is built in conjunction with a petition signing to prohibit  the use of cluster bombs. On Saturday, September 8 the first Pyramid of Shoes  in Canada organized by  Handicap International will take place at the park Emilie Gamelin in Montreal (Berri Square).

With Handicap International leading the way, each visitor is invited to bring pairs of shoes to create the Pyramid of Shoes. In addition to its activist and Peace rally dimensions, the event will also be a festive and joyful experience. Engaging speakers and a multitude of performers will take the stage from 11:00am to 5:00pm and the day will offer a children’s area, African dancers, music shows and landmine clearance demonstrations with Serge Effantin, Landmine Clearance and Safety Expert. The Psychotropical Orchestra and the Hyposmics will be headlining the music while several NGOs (UNICEF, Amnesty International, Médecins du Monde, Mines Action Canada) will have information booths set up. A press conference will take place at 11:00am for the opening of the day. Georges Robert, a talented MC, will announce the day’s schedule and guide the crowd through the activities.

We invite all Montrealers to come and throw their pair of shoes and sign the petition, their shoes symbolizing the devastation to the limbs and lives of the thousands of victims of landmines and sub-munitions. The shoe company Aldo will offer 250 pairs of shoes as a sign of solidarity for our cause. A partnership was also set up with CERTEX, a non-profit organization located on the south shore of Montreal, which employs people with disabilities who recycle clothing and shoes and send them to countries in the Global South. This organization will be given all the shoes of the Pyramid.

Handicap International has worked for several years with the international community in order to obtain the complete prohibition of anti-personnel landmines and cluster bombs. The Association deploys teams of experts in order to seek out and neutralize any unexploded remnants of war which put the life of thousands of civilians in danger throughout the world. They also provide assistance to victims and carry out preventive actions against accidents by landmines in civilian areas. Special urns will be placed in the area to collect the gifts of those Montrealers who wish to help. For those who cannot attend, they can make a gift via the Web site (www.handicap-international.ca), call us toll free at 1-877-908-2813, or send a personal check to the address mentioned above.

Handicap International is a non-governmental, non-religious and non-political organization that works with people with disabilities in a variety of contexts to offer them assistance and support in their efforts to become self-reliant. Since its creation, this non-profit organization has set up programs in about 60 countries and has provided aid in many emergency situations. It has offices in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Canada since 2003. These offices provide human and financial resources, manage humanitarian projects and raise awareness about the issue. HI is a co-founder of the Cluster Munitions Coalition and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which was awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.

For further information: Nancy DeGraff, (514) 908-2813 extension 222, nancy.degraff@handicap-international.ca; Sandrine Guillot, (514) 908-2813 extension 224, sandrine.guillot@handicap-international.ca

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2007/08/c6838.html