A stand for diversity with CEED of Hope
Turning on the news, or taking a scroll through Facebook, one might think racism and prejudice are making a comeback.
A group of Wellanders, however, is making sure the community knows inclusivity and acceptance are the values the city stands for, continuing the work begun last year during the inaugural Feast Street Festival with the CEED (celebrate and embrace equality and diversity) of Hope parade.
The parade — it got its start under the grassroots It’s All Welland Good banner in co-operation with several community agencies — will return to the festival on Sept. 23. The parade will be a chance for cultural groups and organizations of historically marginalized people, such as the LGBTQ+ community, to make its presence, and importance to the city, known.
“It’s a celebration of the richness of our own community,” said one of the event organizers, Paul Turner, who hopes even more groups will participate in this year’s parade, surpassing last year’s contingent of 32 participating organizations.
Turner said the genesis of the event last year was largely due to an apparent increase in racism and homophobia both south of the border and at home alongside politicians pushing divisiveness as a platform. That political climate, he said, continues, meaning the parade will serve as a means to counteract such sentiments.
“The fear is out there,” he said, adding, “there seems to be more racial tension.”
Diversity, he said, is something to be celebrated, not scorned. New immigrants, cultures and views strengthen, not weaken, the community.
“It makes us more human,” said Turner, noting the parade is not meant to be confrontational.
“This is a celebration,” he said, voicing his hopes for more cultural and societal groups to add their voices to the parade.
Participants will begin gathering for the parade around 1 p.m. behind the Welland Civic Square, setting off at 2 p.m. up Courthouse Lane to Dorothy Street before heading south on River Road and west on East Main Street, finally heading north on Cross Street to loop back behind the Civic Square and finish at the Feast Street main stage. The parade will cap off with a celebration on stage for each participating group.
The Downtown Welland Business Improvement Association and Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre have loaned their support to the event. Groups wishing to participate are invited to call turner at 905-734-8203 or by email at paulturnernd@hotmail.com.