March 21, 2019, is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Tabled by the General Assembly of the United Nations, Mayor Scott recognized the day in Wood Buffalo.
Krystell O’Hara, Equity Coordinator for the Regional Advisory Committee on Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality (RACIDE), said racism is present in Wood Buffalo.
“It Is everyone’s responsibility to take action to make Wood Buffalo a safe community for all because when there is hate towards any minority group, that hate does not just affect a small group of people, it affects us all as a community.”
O’Hara referenced the mosque shootings in New Zealand on March 15, 2019, which left 50 Muslims dead and 50 injured.
“When we act as bystanders to discrimination or hate incidents take place, we are allowing those acts to break the social cohesion of our community, fueling the alienation that can have devastating consequences like the Christchurch attack in New Zealand.”
Fortunately, there is support from residents, the Municipality, and the Alberta Human Rights Commission.
O’Hara said events like the ‘Not in Our Town’ event show the region’s dedication to inclusivity and tolerance.
RACIDE will continue to organize and encourage people to speak out against discrimination in Wood Buffalo.
Facts and Figures
- This month, the government recently formed a Provincial Hate Crimes Unit.
- Alberta RCMP reports at least one hate-motivated crime every three days.
- The General Assembly of the United Nations mandated the occasion.
