Credit: Bonita Zarrillo
London will be part of 30 cities in Canada following the lead of Burnaby, British Columbia this year in honouring May 10 as the official Day of Action Against Anti-Asian Racism.
What first started at a kitchen table, has created a chain reaction of support with over 8 million Canadians proclaiming a Day of Action with support from 3.3 million major national and local unions also endorsing the Day of Action in solidarity.
Doris Mah is the Co-Founder of the Stand With Asians Coalition that began three weeks ago.
“The origin of SWAC started at my kitchen table. About three weeks ago, marked one month after the Atlanta shooting on April 16. I was at my kitchen table and I was reading a local newspaper article that since last year, there has been an increase of 350 percent of hate crimes against Asians in my city. Anti-Asian racism is definitely not a new phenomenon, but Covid-19 has been a trigger.” Mah, who describes herself as a mother and an ordinary citizen in Burnaby has become grateful for the councils across the country that have responded to her emails and requests for proclamation.
An estimation of over a thousand cities and municipalities across Canada were emailed by Mah to take part in this proclamation where 100 have replied, and 30 areas said yes.
“May is Asian heritage month in Canada, we are supposed to celebrate Asians’ accomplishments in Canada. But, we can’t forget the hardships they have gone through. Racism is not a new phenomenon in Canada. There is so much intergenerational trauma experienced by the Chinese, Japanese, Indigenous people, it’s still there. These generations are fearful because of the past hurt they have experienced.”
Credit: Doris Mah
The main issues Mah faced in having the proclamation passed involved cities asking if she had a local chapter, and extensive forms to fill out for each city by the thousands, on top of having a proclamation request process take four to six weeks.
Mah created the SWAC Facebook group to reach out to people in different cities over Canada to take the lead in representing the proclamation for their area.
Teigan Elliott, a King’s student and local organizer of the Stop Asian Hate London chapter wrote to the city of London requesting the proclamation for the Day of Action. “The city counsellors were pretty supportive, I just had to write a couple of documents about what my organization is, what this day would be like and submit it.”
Credit: Teigan Elliot
Ward 5 councillor Maureen Cassidy tabled the emergent motion on May 2 with London voting unanimously in favour of the proclamation. Mayor Ed Holder, along with councillors Shawn Lewis and Phil Squire had reservations about the proclamation request as they felt there was merit to the proclamation but were uncomfortable with the expedited process.
“There wouldn’t have been time for a six-week process, so this was something they would have to override if they were going to pass the proclamation request. Ultimately, they did all vote unanimously in favour, and I think it may have had to do with the recent past year with the SAH vigil and rally that we had. There was a lot of feeling of lack of support from the city, and I think a lot of Londoners weren’t particularly happy with that. So I think they realized it’s important for them to step up and make a statement at least.” shares Elliott, in hopes that London will continue to step up for anti-racism in the community.
Credit: Teigan Elliott
Mah is hopeful with the number of groups similar to SAH, that anti-Asian racism activism is growing across the world. “I am glad to see the activism that’s been created against anti-Asian racism. There are still a lot of Asians not speaking up, especially first-generation immigrants. I have been in Canada for 30 years, I have experienced racism here and there but of course not as much as since the pandemic.”
There has also been additional pressure on bystanders who are not speaking up against witnessing racism.
“Be an active bystander, not being silent when you see something happening because that is just being complicit with what is happening. It’s a big fight, action is needed from everyone, especially white Canadians.” advises Elliott.
As for what is set to happen for May 10, an e-rally is taking place at 8 PM on Zoom to share in solidarity the Day of Action.
Mah believes that while it is important every day for the world to recognize and combat racism, it is also important to set aside one symbolic day to reflect and recommit.
“Make the world better, make this country better. Not just for Asians, but for First Nations, for Black, for Indigenous people and racialized communities.”
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