This year, the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination theme is mitigating and countering rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist ideologies.
“Now more than ever we need to band together to stand with our neighbours and friends who face racism and discrimination.
“In the wake of the terrorist attacks on innocent people, at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand last week, this issue is all the more pressing,” said Karen Weiers, AUPE Vice-President and Chair of the Human Rights Committee.
On March 15, a gunman opened fire on the two places of worship, killing 50 people, including children, and injuring others. Investigations are ongoing, but it’s clear that the attacks were targeted and driven by hate.
“Survivors, friends and family of the dead, and the Muslim community are grieving. This loss is a heavy weight to carry. Add on the stigma this violence can perpetuate and the us-versus-them mentality it creates, and it’s crushing,” adds Weiers.
Whether it’s people of color, immigrants, gender or sexual minorities, populists will blame hardships and injustices, perceived or real, on members of marginalized communities.
Here at home in Alberta organized hate groups have hijacked the anti-fuel tax movement, which started in France as a challenge to policies that favour bosses over working people, to rouse hate towards immigrants.
“Hate groups try to divide workers and turn them against each other,” said Weiers.
“Fortunately, the labour movement has often been a powerful vehicle for inclusiveness. In solidarity we push back against social injustices and inequalities that supremacists take advantage of to drive their ideologies forward.”
This year, AUPE helped sponsor The Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation’s Harmony Brunch to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.