On March 21, 1960, 69 men and women were killed at a peaceful demonstration in South Africa. Their lives will forever be remembered among others who have died in the fight against the Apartheid regime. A regime based on embracing racial discrimination, segregation and repression.
As Canadians we need to be mindful of this horror in South Africa’s history, as it was modeled after Canada’s Indian Act. The Indian Act not only established residential schools, but enshrined the laws and programs that tried to eradicate traditional cultures.
On March 21, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we commemorate the fight for democracy and ending racism.
We all have a responsibility to ensure racial discrimination is eliminated in the name of equality. This will only be accomplished by removing political, economic and social barriers. As Canadians we need to lobby all levels of government and hold them accountable for the decisions they make.
In Solidarity,
Lloyd Brown, Racially Visible Members Representative – PSAC Ontario Council
Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President – Ontario