Image from Migrant Rights Network

Around June 16, actions took place across the country to #UniteAgainstRacism. In Kelowna, members of the Migrant Rights Network lined the pedestrian overpass on Harvey Avenue bridge. In Ottawa and Toronto, hundreds came out to demand justice for migrant workers and say no to racism and xenophobia being stoked by cynical politicians. 

Coincidentally, the same weekend, Quebec passed its ban on religious symbols which will disproportionately impact immigrants who are in public sector jobs.  

 The next day of action is on September 2nd and we have a groundswell to build before then and to make sure that we stop the racists and xenophobes from taking over the federal government. 

 The UniteAgainst Racism campaign is coordinated by the Migrant Rights Network which aims to

  • Build capacity, self organizing and solidarity between everyone in the country without permanent resident status, because we have been and always will be some of the first to be targeted
  • Demand action and propose a vision not just on issues of concern to migrants and refugees, but for all working-class people in the country

  • Through mass action and direct popular education, stem and overturn the rise of xenophobia and racism to stop the success of the right at all levels of government, on behalf of all of us.

They are training hundreds of facilitators across the country to host workshops, engage in conversations with people close to them about xenophobia and racism, and propose a transformative vision. The facilitators are from different language communities in a few priority sectors: immigrants, migrant workers, labour and environmental groups. We have also made all our materials publicly available and editable, so that anyone can use them. They also have resources available on their website if you want to set up your own training. 

The upcoming September 2 day of action has already been endorsed by 15 labour councils.  Let’s get conversations started across Canada to stop the cynical hate mongering by the Conservatives. Unite against the lies and racism. 

 

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Maya Bhullar

Maya Bhullar has over 15 years of professional experience in such diverse areas as migration, labour, urban planning and community mobilization. She has a particular interest in grassroots engagement,...