Anti-racism group to protest travel ban
A demonstration is planned outside Calgary’s United States consulate Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s executive order banning travel to the U.S. by people from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
Adopting the slogan “No one is illegal in Alberta,” organizer Jason Devine said the protest is both a response to Trump’s executive order and what he says is Canada’s responsibility to do more for vulnerable populations still facing discrimination and human rights issues. The protest, which takes place Saturday afternoon, coincides with the National Day of Action against Islamophobia and White Supremacy.
“Canada has a history of genocide, oppression and racism,” Devine said. “It’s too easy to say this is Canada, we don’t have the same issues as the U.S. But this ‘out of sight, out of mind’ attitude is one of the most dangerous outlooks to have.”
Devine added that while Canada and the U.S. are very different, “our histories are tied together.”
Trump’s order, issued last Friday, temporarily bans travel for people from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen and also temporarily halts the U.S. refugee program.
There have been a number of demonstrations in the U.S. following the decision.
Mount Royal University political science professor Duane Bratt said while it’s highly unlikely Calgarians protesting will have any impact on decisions in the U.S. administration, these types of public demonstrations could catch the attention of political audiences in Canada.
“I think the audience is the Canadian government, and the Trudeau government needs to respond to the Trump administration on the ban,” Bratt said.