本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛TORONTO: September 26, 2007
A coalition of community groups is asking for action from police and political leaders to stop hate crimes in response to a Toronto Star report of assaults on Asian Canadians in Lake Simcoe area fishing spots. Chinese language media have reported several incidents involving assault and destruction of personal property but the latest is by far the most serious and potentially tragic.
Media conference will be held:
DATE: Thursday September 27th, 2007
TIME: 10:00 am
PLACE: Toronto City Hall Committee Room C
Despite the fact that Asian Canadians are targeted and that locals refer to the long standing practice of pushing the fishing hobbyists into the water as “nipper tipping”, York Region Police have not charged anyone with hate crimes.
“The category of hate motivated crime was created for just such circumstances.” said Avvy Go of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic. “The sad part is that the locals clearly recognize the racist intent by using such an offensive term but just laugh about it. However, we should be able to expect the York Region Police to be more conscientious about fighting racism.”
“York Region likes to promote itself as Silicon North. Maybe it is really Jena North.” said Zanana Akande, past President of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, referring to the recent controversy in Louisiana where nooses in trees recalled the horrors of the lynch mob in slavery days. “The municipal leaders need to show some leadership and denounce both the long standing practice and the community’s silent acceptance of it. Only then will the police reflect public values by charging the attackers with hate crimes.”
“Everybody is after the so-called "ethnic vote" and the issue of religious schools in the Provincial election campaign has been the proxy for a debate over tolerance for racial and religious differences – with both sides arguing for inclusion and shared values to appeal to the diverse communities. Rather than wait for the next generation to acquire these virtues, it is time for today’s political leaders to tell us what they will do to stop racism at its source.” said Susan Eng of The Reference Group, a community action group focused on equal access to the political process. “What racialized communities need is real protection against racist attacks that destroy their sense of safety and well being. That’ll get their vote.”
For further information, please contact:
Susan Eng, 647-988-3595
The Reference Group
Avvy Go, 416-971-9674
Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic
Zanana Akande 416-482-2326
Past president, Urban Alliance on Race Relations
Lorne Foster, Professor 416-573-4966
School of Public Policy and Administration
Karen Mock, Chair 416-433-0343
Hate Crimes Community Working Group更多精彩文章及讨论,请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
A coalition of community groups is asking for action from police and political leaders to stop hate crimes in response to a Toronto Star report of assaults on Asian Canadians in Lake Simcoe area fishing spots. Chinese language media have reported several incidents involving assault and destruction of personal property but the latest is by far the most serious and potentially tragic.
Media conference will be held:
DATE: Thursday September 27th, 2007
TIME: 10:00 am
PLACE: Toronto City Hall Committee Room C
Despite the fact that Asian Canadians are targeted and that locals refer to the long standing practice of pushing the fishing hobbyists into the water as “nipper tipping”, York Region Police have not charged anyone with hate crimes.
“The category of hate motivated crime was created for just such circumstances.” said Avvy Go of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic. “The sad part is that the locals clearly recognize the racist intent by using such an offensive term but just laugh about it. However, we should be able to expect the York Region Police to be more conscientious about fighting racism.”
“York Region likes to promote itself as Silicon North. Maybe it is really Jena North.” said Zanana Akande, past President of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, referring to the recent controversy in Louisiana where nooses in trees recalled the horrors of the lynch mob in slavery days. “The municipal leaders need to show some leadership and denounce both the long standing practice and the community’s silent acceptance of it. Only then will the police reflect public values by charging the attackers with hate crimes.”
“Everybody is after the so-called "ethnic vote" and the issue of religious schools in the Provincial election campaign has been the proxy for a debate over tolerance for racial and religious differences – with both sides arguing for inclusion and shared values to appeal to the diverse communities. Rather than wait for the next generation to acquire these virtues, it is time for today’s political leaders to tell us what they will do to stop racism at its source.” said Susan Eng of The Reference Group, a community action group focused on equal access to the political process. “What racialized communities need is real protection against racist attacks that destroy their sense of safety and well being. That’ll get their vote.”
For further information, please contact:
Susan Eng, 647-988-3595
The Reference Group
Avvy Go, 416-971-9674
Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic
Zanana Akande 416-482-2326
Past president, Urban Alliance on Race Relations
Lorne Foster, Professor 416-573-4966
School of Public Policy and Administration
Karen Mock, Chair 416-433-0343
Hate Crimes Community Working Group更多精彩文章及讨论,请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net