Go Skateboarding Day (GSD) is an official annual holiday conceived by the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) to promote skateboarding. The holiday was started in California by Don Brown and is held on June 21 due to the fact that the day is the longest day of summer.
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History
The holiday was conceived in 2004 by the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) to help make skateboarding more accessible to the world through various events held in major cities around the world. In 2006, more than 350 events took place in 32 countries around the world, and, the following year, the IASC received Special Congressional Recognition from US Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez for its work in promoting the sport of skateboarding and encouraging young people to get outside and enjoy the sport.
This holiday is celebrated by millions of skaters around the world. On July 14, 2002 when New Yorkers Kerel "Srikala" Roach and Bryan Chin organized the first All City Skate Jam and circulated flyers for a day-long gathering of skaters from all walks for life. The day was a celebration that gained attention from other pros and larger businesses, including the International Association of Skateboard Companies, which, a year later, christened June 21 Go Skateboarding Day by 5boro Skateboards founder/owner, Steve Rodriguez. Now GSD accrues thousands of participants in each year all over the world. GSD NYC is considered one of the largest single gatherings of skateboarders in the world and is now considered an official holiday.
Celebrations and Events in 2014
Hundreds of people skated in Albany, NY
In the west country of the UK, Erik Ellington, Spencer Hamilton, Dee Ostrander and Lizard King joined Bristol locals such as Korahn Gayle, Josh Arnott, Paul Carter, and Dave Snaddon to celebrate Go Skateboarding Day in 2014:
Thousands of skaters that showed up to Hollenbeck Skate Plaza, LA.
North Florida's Hemming Plaza hosts an annual Go Skate Day celebration.
Nike sponsored a large Go Skateboarding Day event in Cologne
The charity organistation Skatistan has been celebrating Go Skateboarding Day in Afghanistan since 2009. In 2014, their events also spread to Cambodia and South Africa, and more than 150 students came along with their families and friends to join street parades in Kabul and over 200 attended celebrations in Mazar-e-Sharif.
Vans holds an annual celebration of Go Skate Day in Singapore. In 2014, hundreds of skaters showed up at Sommerset Skate Park for the event.
Hundreds of skateboarders joined in to celebrate Go Skateboarding Day in Lima, Peru
2007 YouTube arrest incident
Some skaters celebrating Go Skateboarding Day have had conflicts with the law in the past. One of the more notable incidents involved skaters Matt McCormack, Skylar Nalls, Robbie Brindley, Casey Canterbury and several other friends in Hot Springs, Arkansas where they were involved in an incident with police. Baird and the involved skaters contend that the police used excessive force when they arrested them while the police maintain that the officer was enforcing a city ordinance. The incident made headlines when a YouTube video of the arrest was uploaded drawing over three million views and intense internet debate over the incident.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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