Residents will take to the streets to oppose racism today.
Monday is the International Day For the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. UNBC student Daniel Gallant is organizing a march to show opposition to racism in Prince George.
"Here in Prince George, it's the first to my knowledge," Gallant said. "The march is held in solidarity with the events that happened in Sharpeville, South Africa."
On March 21, 1960, 69 people were killed by South African police during a protest against apartheid.
Despite progress made since the 1960s, racism continues to be very real and active around the world - including Prince George, he said.
"I've seen some very vocal youth wearing white power shirts and tattoos downtown," Gallant said.
Vandals painted swastikas and racial slurs on Masich Place Stadium earlier this month and anti-gay slogans were written on the UNBC Pride Centre.
Racist organizations from Alberta have also been actively recruiting youth from Prince George, he said. Youth have been invited to attend a white power rally in Calgary this month, he said.
"Because of my past experience in the skinhead movement... when I see the connections being made between Prince George, Calgary and Edmonton I become alarmed," Gallant said. "The last thing Prince George wants is that sort of presence here."
The march will start on the front steps of the Prince George Courthouse at 4:30 p.m. with a peaceful rally.
Several speakers including Lheildli T'enneh elder Violet Bozoki and Sihk community member Lucky Parmar will address the rally, then it will march to the Prince George Civic Centre.
