Pinoys in Vancouver to march against racism

Pinoys in Vancouver to 
march against racism


By Alex P. Vidal


VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- A group of protesters led by the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance, Philippine Women Centre of BC and SIKLAB for Migrant Workers will hold a march protest against racism at 2 pm on March 18.
Calling participants to "celebrate our courage" by bringing banners and drums in the march starting at Clark Park on Commercial and 14th and ending at Grandview Park on Commercial and Charles, the marchers will also celebrate the March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racism.
The event "marks the anniversary of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa when police opened fire on hundreds of South Africans protesting against Apartheid's passbook laws, killing 67 and wounding 186," the marchers said in a statement.


JOIN


"Collectively, we join friends and allies around the world to mark this day and to speak the truth about racism."
The marchers said, "We know of the historic injustices this country was founded on, including the forced confinement of Indigenous children in residential schools and Japanese children in internment camps." 
They added: "Today, we urgently need a renewed anti-racist consciousness as examples of institutional racism abound: Mass criminalization and incarceration under the new crime bill, human smuggling bill, and proposed anti-terror legislation; Tragedies of missing and murdered Indigenous women and communities like Attawapiskat across these colonized lands; Restrictions on immigration and family sponsorships but expanding exploitative temporary worker programs; Bailing out banks while communities of colour live in poverty." 


DEMAND


They also demand an end for "corporate destruction on indigenous territories from pipelines in Alberta and BC to Canadian mining operations across Africa and Latin America; Involvement in military occupations from Afghanistan to Palestine; Racist stereotyping and scapegoating permeates the media, education system, policing institutions, and workplaces." 
They marchers said they are "outraged at the white supremacist hate crimes of groups such as Blood and Honor in our very own neighbourhoods, and the general silence surrounding this horrific example of violence."
"We encourage our friends and allies to be pro-active in countering racism. Join us in solidarity and resistance on March 18th to celebrate the dignity, strength, and resilience of our communities."