The White Ribbon’s Free Family Concert and Motorbike Rally, which were postponed last week due to wet weather conditions, will be held today and tomorrow, respectively.

These events will mark the30^th anniversary of the White Ribbon Campaign which was celebrated last week.

The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) was formed by a group of men in Ontario, Canada, in November 1991, as a response to the École Polytechnique massacre of female students in 1989. It was a combined effort to raise awareness about the frequent occurrence of male violence against women, with the ribbon symbolising “the idea of men giving up their arms”.

The White Ribbon Free Family Concert will be held tonight, starting at 6pm, at Victoria Park in Tupapa.

The “strictly no alcohol event” will feature barber services, bouncy castles, face paints, food vendors and entertainment.

The concert will culminate with the fireworks “as a symbol to remember those lost to violence and honour our survivors”, said the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Ministry has asked pet owners in Tupapa and Takuvaine area to keep their fur babies (dogs) safe and secure indoors or near them in case they get a fright.

The annual Motorbike Rally will be held tomorrow, starting at the meeting point, the Punanganui Market, at 2pm and proceeding through town along Marine Drive, through the Avarua roundabout up to TEM Store Tupapa, and down to Victoria Park.

Classic and new cruiser motorbikes are invited to be part of the rally with a request for riders to wear black, orange, and white – the White Ribbon colours.

Cook Islands Police Service earlier advised that all motorists and the general public should be aware of the motorbike rally.

“Be part of the movement to stand against violence! Ride through town in your White Ribbon colours - black, orange, and white, and show your support for a violence-free Cook Islands,” Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

“We will wrap up with a sausage sizzle at the Tupapa Field.”

In a statement, Cook Islands Police said: “The White Ribbon campaign promotes an end to all domestic violence, particularly against women and children, by raising awareness and calling for community action to stop the abuse.”