Local solidarity sends a message
Second anti-racism rally planned for Friday as charged events gallop ahead south of the border
If you were sickened by the video of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of a handcuffed George Floyd as the life ebbed from his body, you are definitely not alone.
Thousands of people have joined demonstrations and vigils in Vancouver and across the country — in addition to overseas — in solidarity with black victims of police brutality. More than 1,000 people attended Sunday’s anti-racism rally, urged to peaceful action in viral social media posts by 21-year-old Jacob Callender-Prasad.
“There are no words to describe the feeling when your whole community comes together,” said Prasad.
“There’s a deep point in the protest when we had a moment of silence, and I saw all the different faces of all these different cultures, all put their fist up together in unity and it brought me to tears.”
A second rally is planned for this Friday, 4 p.m. at Canada Place.
“People who want to be allies need to be aware of how you talk about people of colour and make sure they keep their friends in check if they use the N-word,” he said.
“If you are a parent, sit your kids down and talk about racism and white privilege.”
On Wednesday, Minnesota’s attorney general upgraded a charge of third-degree murder laid against the officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck to second-degree murder and charged three other officers who were present with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
“For now, it’s just a court date, they haven’t been convicted and (the officer’s) intention is very hard to prove,” said Prasad.
Premier John Horgan voiced his horror over Floyd’s death, admitting that racism is a problem in British Columbia, too.
“Although we do our best to ensure law enforcement treats everyone equally, we have blemishes on our record as well, but what we try to do in those situations is we try to get better,” he said.
The Independent Investigations of Office of B.C. has opened 22 investigations into police conduct since May 1, including eight deaths.
Members of the local black community were touched by the support demonstrated by British Columbians who turned out en masse despite the risks posed by the COVID19 health crisis.
“This is such a huge pivotal moment where everything’s boiling over,” said Cicely Belle Blain, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Vancouver.
“It’s really amazing to see that even in Vancouver, which is obviously quite removed from a lot of the incidents that we’re seeing in the States, that people are really caring.”
Blain hopes that the movement creates momentum that is sustainable.
“There are a lot of campaigns online right now to amplify black voices, so you can follow them and share and promote them and support black-owned businesses,” said Blain.
While the #BlackOutTuesday online solidarity campaign earned mixed reviews, there is value in “filling your digital space with black voices and images.”
“I know some of the fundraisers in the States are actually kind of overwhelmed with how much attention they’re getting,” they said.
“So I think supporting local is really important.”
If you want to provide financial support, Blain recommends the GoFundMe campaign Black in B.C. Community Support Fund for COVID19, which provides support to black students, immigrants and anyone not eligible for Employment Insurance or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.
Black Lives Matter Vancouver is also accepting donations to support their advocacy work, specifically to “centre the voices of black folks as well as other folks of colour and hope to lift up those who are queer, women, trans, differently abled, poor or otherwise marginalized.”
Blain understands that not everyone has the ability to stand up to racism in the streets.