Today City Council supported Councillor Paula Fletcher's motion to endorse the nomination of Malala Yousafzai for a Nobel Peace Prize. On October 9, 2012 Malala was shot by the Taliban while riding the school bus. Her courage as a tireless advocate for girls' education in the face of threats and violence is remarkable, and supporters around the world are calling for the Nobel Committee to award Malala the Peace Prize.
Toronto City Council endorses the nomination of Malala Yousafzai for a Nobel Peace Prize
Toronto's Council is the first governing body to formally support this effort. Council has joined political leaders from all parties, and over 240,000 people who have signed the petition on Change.org to stand with Malala.
"The 'Nobel For Malala' petition has sparked a global movement with pages set up in 10 countries and attracting close to half a million signatures," said Jordy Gold, Campaigns Director at Change.org. "It is very exciting to see the City of Toronto, where the first petition was created, now endorse this campaign that has spread around the world."
"I moved this motion to recognize Malala's bravery and the right of every child, regardless of gender, to go to school. I'm glad to have Council's support and encourage everyone to join the City of Toronto and sign the petition on Change.org," said City Councillor Paula Fletcher. "This is a powerful and unequivocal statement in favour of girls' access to education anywhere in the world".
