ESTEVAN - A new anti-racism campaign is coming to Estevan.
At the Feb. 14 meeting of Estevan city council, members reviewed a letter from Estevan Settlement Workers in Schools, Transition Services and Â鶹´«Ã½AVeast Newcomer Services to have use of wall space, preferably a high-traffic area, in the Estevan Leisure Centre to display anti-racism messages.
“Our display would consist of anti-racism pledges signed by our participants and the general public, along with signage identifying our organization,” said SWIS co-ordinator Aimee Haralson and transition co-ordinator Madison Skjonsby in a letter to council.
They hope to have the display up towards the end of February, and for it to remain until the end of March, which will overlap March 21, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
They hope to promote anti-racism discourse and awareness within the community, and to establish the organization and community as a safe space for everyone. They see this as an opportunity to encourage the community to come together and be united against racism.
They want to utilize space at the leisure centre, as it is a high-traffic area and more people will see their anti-racism messages.
The pledges are shaped like a stop sign, and have the words “Racism. It STOPS with me.” People then sign their name.
Councillor Kirsten Walliser urged council to not only support the request, but to participate alongside them. She also suggested that the campaign work with the city’s social media.
Councillor Rebecca Foord suggested the messages be placed in close proximity to Affinity Place, not only for the sake of visibility, but because there has been a rise in the number of incidents of racism in sports in the past few years.
