Meet me at the Bell Tower
Meet Me at the Bell Tower started in 2011 when a group of young people became increasingly frustrated with how often they gathered at hospitals and for vigils and funerals. Every Friday evening – rain or shine – North End community members rally next to the bell tower at Selkirk Avenue and Powers Street to tackle a range of issues including child welfare, violence, racism, and reconciliation. Meet Me at the Bell Tower (MMBT) celebrated the movement’s six-year anniversary on Friday, Nov. 17. MMBT is a weekly event organized by Aboriginal Youth Opportunities (AYO) that intends to reconstruct Winnipeg’s North End by mobilizing the youth to address neighbourhood safety . When MMBT was first established, it was driven by residents of the community. Since then, AYO has been able to create momentum by raising the profile of weekly rallies around the larger Winnipeg community. Many organizations like the Winnipeg Chamber of commerce, Winnipeg Labour Council, and Islamic Social Services Association have taken part in co-hosting weekly rallies.