Advocacy

MOSAIC joins pledge for 101 Days of Action against Discrimination

December 9, 2016
eyob-101-days-of-action

Eyob Naizghi, MOSAIC Executive Director, signed the pledge on behalf of MOSAIC.

To mark UN International Human Rights Day, December 10th, MOSAIC has joined Mayor Gregor Robertson and other community leaders in signing a pledge for 101 Days of Action against Discrimination and with it is calling on all Vancouverites to stand up against discrimination.

At the signing ceremony, Eyob Naizghi, MOSAIC’s Executive Director, said “The commemoration of the historic ‘Human Rights Day’ every year is a one day event, but the vigilance it takes to maintain the equality of rights of all is a year round engagement, a ‘welcoming community’ and inclusive place for all. Considering the global political wind presently blowing, a wind of fear and divisiveness, we will need more of us to pull hands to mobilize our communities for trust, cohesion, and unity, and make Vancouver a champion city for others.”

MOSAIC encourages everyone to join the 101 Days of Action against Discrimination. To sign the pledge, please visit 101days.ca.

Press release from Office of the Mayor of Vancouver

Mayor, Community Groups launch pledge for 101 Days
of Action against Discrimination

December 10, 2016 (Vancouver, BC) – Today, to mark UN International Human Rights Day, Mayor Gregor Robertson joined several community leaders in calling on all Vancouverites to stand up against discrimination. The Mayor and community leaders announced they are signing the 101 Days of Action pledge, taking action against discrimination for the next 101 days that culminates in a rally on March 19th marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

“One of Vancouver’s greatest strengths is our diversity. Over the course of the last year we have welcomed refugees from around the world, passed an Access Without Fear policy, and recommitted our efforts to being a City of Reconciliation, but there is more work to be done to ensure Vancouver is a safe and compassionate city for everyone,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “The 101 Days of Action pledge demonstrates that we believe in shared values of equality, anti-racism, and freedom from injustice. Recent events around the world and close to home have left many of our loved ones feeling vulnerable, and hate can only be overcome when we stand in solidarity and empower each other to speak out – and call out- discrimination when we see it.”

At today’s rally held at the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, the Mayor stood in solidarity with organizations and community groups working to empower vulnerable and marginalized communities, including; Al Jamia Masjid, Battered Women Services Society, Gordon Neighbourhood House, Immigrant Services Society of BC, MigranteBC, Multifaith Action Society, Khalsa Diwan Society, Out On Screen, and more.

Representatives from these groups joined the Mayor in signing the 101 Days of Action pledge, which commits to:

a) Speaking out against hate and discrimination of any form in our community;
b) Taking part in a rally to be held on March 19th, 2017, in observance of the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21st 2017;
c) During the next 101 Days and beyond, working to build bridges across communities and listen to our fellow citizens with empathy and compassion.

To sign the pledge, visit www.101days.ca

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Media contact:

Sarah Zaharia
Communications Strategist
Office of the Mayor l City of Vancouver
604.754.3847

Pledge details
WHEREAS We acknowledge that recent events outside our borders and within our own neighbourhoods have left many of our friends, families, and fellow citizens in a vulnerable state. While their lived experiences are a testament to courage and resiliency, we recognize that hate can only be overcome when we stand in solidarity and empower each other’s voices.

WHEREAS We recognize that the City of Vancouver has a long history of bias and discrimination. Historically it manifested itself in injustices such as race riots and people being denied the ability to buy homes in areas of the city or mortgages because of gender or sexual identity, and the erasure of neighbourhoods. More subtle forms of discrimination such as hateful slurs and distribution of racist flyers are equally damaging and continue to this day.

WHEREAS For traditionally marginalized communities it is easy to become desensitized to subtle acts of discrimination and racism. However, if we don’t call them out, they perpetuate.

WHEREAS The City of Vancouver is blessed with a long tradition of celebrating diversity and, more recently, of standing in solidarity with marginalized communities to stand up for our shared values of equality and respect.

WHEREAS, Indigenous communities, intercultural groups, labour organizations, non-profit organizations, artists, academics, and activists are the backbone of our rich history of community builders.

We the undersigned pledge:

To speak out against hate and discrimination of any form in our community.

To take part in a rally to be held on March 19, 2017, in observance of the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21st 2017.

That during the 101 days between December 10th and March 21st, we commit to work towards furthering our understanding of each other, building bridges across communities, and listening to our fellow citizens with empathy and compassion. Each of us has a responsibility to stand in solidarity with vulnerable groups and to protect our values of a welcoming and inclusive community.

To sign the pledge, please visit 101days.ca.