The keynote speaker at Monday's anti-racism rally will be a former United Nations staff person who was part of the intervention effort into some of the most gruesome human atrocities in modern history.
Prince George's Lucky Powar observed the crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone and in the former Yugoslavia while they were still fresh. He told his story exclusively to The Citizen, and he will discuss his experiences in the public square at the Prince George Courthouse.
"They were all ethnic, 100 per cent," he told The Citizen.
Monday is the United Nations day designated for the elimination of racism, corresponding with the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa in 1960. Authorities under the white-dominant apartheid regime there opened fire on a protest group of unarmed black South Africans, killing 69 people and igniting a global sense of repugnance for racial intolerance (UN Security Council Resolution 134 was a direct response).
"I encourage all Canadians to come together, to imagine solutions and to take action to put an end to racism and discrimination in all their forms," said Governor General David Johnston in a written statement issued today that warned of the fragility of an equality-based society, with Canada's own recent history containing examples of intolerance. "We are fortunate to live in a country that upholds the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While this privilege brings with it certain responsibilities, I have no doubt that by furthering our efforts and working together, we will be able to build a smarter, more caring world."
Premier Christy Clark said, "B.C. is a rich fabric woven of the threads of many different cultures from over 180 countries around the world, and includes more than 200,000 Aboriginal peoples who have their own languages and cultures.
"As a province, we celebrate cultural and ethnic traditions from around the world, including Chinese New Year, Diwali, Vaisakhi, Hanukah, Christmas, Robbie Burns Day, St. Patrick's Day and many, many others," she added. "Multiculturalism is one of the cornerstones of British Columbia and we are all stronger because of it."
Joining Powar at the microphone will be Valentine Crawford, discussing the subculture discriminations felt by the gay community. Also speaking will be Lheidli T'enneh elder woman Violet Bozoki.
For a full feature on Powar and the rally starting at 4:30 p.m. at the courthouse, read the Monday edition of The Citizen, available both online and hardcopy.
