Hamiltonians show their support for Black Lives Matter
By Juan Zambrano
Hamilton is keeping the spark burning in the fight for racial justice and equality, as city officials and citizens strive to show that Black lives matter.
Hate Mitigation and Prevention meetings
The City of Hamilton held a series of five virtual Hate Mitigation and Prevention meetings on June 29, and July 6-9/20. The meetings were a chance for city officials to speak with communities within Hamilton who have experienced hate-related incidents. Participants were encouraged to share their experiences and suggest ways to make Hamilton a safer and more welcoming place for all. Black, Indigenous, and Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ communities in Hamilton were among those being focused on throughout the meetings.
The Hate Mitigation and Prevention meetings were organized after City Council ordered a reinforcement of the city’s values. City council also ordered an investigation into hate-related incidents after far-right activists disrupted Pride events at Gage Park and rallied at City Hall last year.
Hate crimes in Hamilton
Hamilton ranked as having the most police reported hate crimes in Canada, in 2018, with 17.1 in every 100,000 citizens reporting hate-related incidents. The Hate Mitigation and Prevention meetings are expected to help develop a targeted action plan, to prevent these incidents.
For Manager of Community Initiatives John Ariyo, the fight against hate and discrimination is a team effort among all of Hamilton. “City council can’t do this alone,” Ariyo said. “We need people to acknowledge racism and discrimination as a social problem, show solidarity and take action.”
March for Black Lives Hamilton mobilizes to fight for racial justice
Amani Williams, March for Black Lives Hamilton organizer
Amani Williams is among those answering the call for action in the name of change and racial justice, as the organizer of March for Black Lives Hamilton. Williams was inspired to organize March for Black Lives Hamilton after seeing how much people wanted to help and add their voices to the call for justice. The goal is to create a platform where Hamiltonians can have a conversation on how to best help their local black community.
The first march on June 13/20 saw almost 2000 Hamiltonians join Williams in a march to City Hall. The second march on June 27/20 saw Williams accompanied by a group of almost 300. Public speakers were present at both marches to share their experiences as black members of the Hamilton community.
Marches are planned to go on for as long as possible. For Williams, the fight for racial justice and equality is more than just a passing trend. It is a change that has been a long time coming and one she’s willing to do anything to see happen. “Too many of my ancestors died for me to do what I’m doing today, so it would be a shame for me to just cower and not get the job done,” says Williams.
Here’s how to get involved…
March for Black Lives Hamilton
Williams runs a Facebook group and Instagram account dedicated to March For Black Lives Hamilton. Both platforms provide information on upcoming events, links to petitions and other information on how Hamiltonians can join the fight for justice. A website dedicated to the project is planned.
Williams says there are other ways for citizens to show their support besides marching. Ideas include voting for laws and policies that hold those in power responsible, to signing petitions and staying up to date and educated on what is going on in the movement for racial equality.
“If you go to your Instagram feed and look up Black Lives Matter, it’s as simple as that,” Williams said. “There’s no excuse for being ignorant anymore.”
For more information on ways to join the cause, join the March For Black Lives Hamilton Facebook group and follow on Instagram.
Very informative article!