Sports

McCutchen, Pirates All-Stars pitch in statewide campaign against domestic violence

PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen and other Pittsburgh Pirates players are stepping in the fight against domestic violence.

The Pirates and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto stood beside leaders from the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, and the FISA Foundation to kick off a month-long pledge campaign against domestic violence.

Nine Pittsburgh Pirates, including All-Stars McCutchen, Gerrit Cole, Mark Melancon and Josh Harrison will be featured in new PSA advertisements that will begin running this summer.

“We salute the local, civic religious and business leaders who are working together to make Pittsburgh a model for our state in the campaign to end gender violence for the next generation,” said PCADV executive director Peg Dierkers.

The campaign is also a hashtag on social media. Users can follow the campaign online with #FathersDayPledgePA.

“All of Pittsburgh needs to come together. Now,” Peduto said. “I applaud the Pirates and the Pennsylvania coalition against domestic leadership on this critical issue.”

The Pirates will hold an “NO MORE” awareness night at a home game this season and a rally will be held on June 17 at the Allegheny County Courthouse.

This is the third consecutive year for the campaign, which asks men to sign a petition pledging to help end gender violence in their communities.

Following the campaign’s Tuesday afternoon kickoff in Market Square, Mayor Peduto signed his name on the petition.

For more information about the campaign and petition, visit their website.