The landmark lighting initiative is back this year, a powerful visual message shining across the country as landmarks glow yellow to raise awareness for MCS/EI Awareness. What began a few years ago as a lighting project in Seattle has grown into a nationwide movement called Illuminate America Yellow. This year, The Canary Project is joined by Activst Artist Marie leBlanc who is leading a similar project lighting landmarks across Canada with Environmental Health Association of Manitoba. That project is called Illuminate Canade Yellow, and more information about it can be found in the Facebook Event page.

 

From Seattle to a Multi-National Coast to Coast Movement

 

The original project lit the Seattle skyline yellow on May 1st to kick off the awareness month, and this new expanded movement is aiming for the same date this year as we request buildings and landmarks to light in yellow for a single coordinated night.

 

What the Yellow Lighting Represents

 

Yellow is the color most often associated with MCS and EI Awareness because of the ‘canary’ moniker adopted by the community of people living with these conditions. They are truly the canaries in the coal mine, sounding the alarm for all of society about the dangers of toxic chemicals permeating our every day lives.

 

By lighting landmarks, the project aims to:

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• Draw public attention to the cause

• Encourage conversations and education

• Unite communities across the country

• Support advocacy efforts at local and national levels

 

How To Get Involved

 

Communities or individuals interested in joining the initiative can participate in several ways:

 

• Contact your local landmarks and ask for them to be lit yellow on the night of May 1st. (An alternative date we are requesting if May 1st is not available is May 2nd this year, which is a Saturday, so the initiative would carry on into the weekend)

• Reach out here via the form below to let us know if your local landmark agrees to join the movement.

• Visit any of the illuminated landmarks in your area on May 1st and take selfies/photos to share stories on social media to spread the message, using the official hashtags #IlluminateAmericaYellow or #IlluminateCanadaYellow and #CanaryStrong

• Partner with local organizations to amplify impact!

• Media inquires can also be sent through the form below. We would love for your to cover the event.