Thousands hear messages of empowerment

Thousands of B.C. teens heard messages of inspiration and about the power of young people to push for change at WE Day on Wednesday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

“We make the rules that govern our hearts and our life,” actor and activist Martin Sheen told the audience while speaking about his work in fighting for social justice. “Find something in your life worth fighting for.

“History is shaped each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others,” he added.

“You are wholly lovable. You are worth it. In fact, you are perfect,” former Canadian Olympian Silken Laumann said.

WE Day co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger also shared the stage with TV personalities Tyrone Edwards and Chloe Wilde, and youthful event co-hosts Hannah Alper and Tai Young.

Other celebrities to make appearances in front of the 20,000 students in the crowd, representing 785 schools from across the province, included the Kenyan Boys Choir, Hedley, Chip Wilson, Karina LeBlanc, SonReal, Jacob Tremblay, Alexandre Trudeau, Grace VanderWaal and Lonnie Chavis.

Slam poet and boxer Dana Matthews performed a poem written by Muhammad Ali. She was followed by Ali’s daughter, Rasheda, who spoke about her father’s legacy and the importance of giving back.

Raven Lacerte, a University of Victoria student, spoke about standing up to domestic violence. A National Youth Ambassador, she founded the Moose Hide Campaign with her father — the campaign encourages men to take a stand against violence against women and children.