North End activist says attack strengthened his resolve to make area safer for others

For years, Michael Champagne has fought violence in the North End and Wednesday evening he experienced it firsthand.

The founder of the Meet Me at the Bell Tower event was attacked by two men on Selkirk Avenue.

Champagne and a friend tried to get away but as they ran his friend dropped her wallet.

"I ran back to scoop up the wallet. As I scooped, I got booted in the face," he said.

Champagne staggered back, then ran across the street and into a Robin’s Donuts.

Bruised and bleeding, but otherwise safe.

"The only injuries I have (are) this swollen lip and this bruise on my cheek, so that's one thing that I'm grateful for," said Champagne.

Despite his own run-in with violence, he isn't giving up his efforts to make the North End safer.

"If anything, what this has done has strengthened my resolve. And it has reminded me how important it us for us to be building community, and getting to know who our neighbours are," said Champagne.

The North End community will get a chance to do just that on Friday when Champagne holds his third-annual Meet Me at the Bell Tower event.

It gets underway at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21 on Selkirk Avenue and Powers Street.

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  Despite his own run-in with violence, Michael Champagne isn't giving up his efforts to make the North End safer.