Nanaimo anti-racism rally postponed due to threats of violence
B.C.'s Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives says she's disappointed to hear that an anti-racism rally planned for the Nanaimo and Ladysmith area was postponed over the weekend due to reported threats of violence.
Rachna Singh says that an anti-racism car rally, hosted by the Resilience BC anti-racism network, was pushed back after organizers "received threats of physical violence" on the weekend.
The rally was set to take place around National Indigenous Peoples Day, when many communities across the province were raising the flags of local First Nations or hosting events that spread awareness and support for residential school survivors on Monday.
"These threats are unacceptable and will not be tolerated," said Singh in a statement Tuesday. "I strongly condemn the behaviour of these individuals and offer my support to the staff and organizers of the car rally and all their community partners."
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says the city shares the province's disappointment with the postponed event.
"On behalf of Nanaimo City Council I wish to express my sincere disappointment in response to the recent postponement of a Resilience BC anti-racism network rally in Nanaimo due to threats of violence," he said in a statement Tuesday.
"Anti-racism rallies are not 'Anti-White' rallies," he said. "As a society, we must accept that unfortunately, even in 2021, racism exists. And, in order to have a future free from racism and hate, we must learn and take actionable steps to end both racism and hate.
Singh says that the recent threats highlight the need for British Columbians to continue standing against racism in the province.
"We must come together as a society to speak out against racism and show our support for Nanaimo and Ladysmith, as well as other communities in the province that are experiencing racism," she said.
Singh did not say when the event will be rescheduled, but promised to attend the next car rally.
"The threats of violence will not scare or intimidate us into submission. It only strengthens our resolve," she said.
Anyone who witnesses or is the victim of a hate crime in B.C. is asked to contact the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network online here for support, says Singh.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.