OPSEU's Equity Mobilization Team invites all OPSEU members to a Rally Against Racism in Leamington on September 10 at 12:00 noon.
Recently we have noticed more and more people are feeling comfortable showing their true colours by attending rallies, speaking out, and harassing people and groups that stand up against racism. Charlottesville reminds us of the courage it takes to stand against racism. Heather Heyer's senseless killing is a powerful call to everyone to understand the evil of racism and stand against it in all its forms.
The OPSEU Equity Mobilization Team (EMT) has worked with diverse communities across Ontario and have brought together groups and organizations to work in solidarity with each other. We can build trust and relationships with each other to learn, listen, and engage to make a difference, realizing that racism remains one of the greatest barriers to fulfilling our potential as a democracy.
There is a growing divide in our country, but there are things we can and must do. Please join the EMT Rally Against Racism in Leamington on September 10 at 12 p.m.
Over the past several years, there has been a lot of discussion regarding migrant workers and their presence in Leamington. The media have written stories about how migrant workers have negatively impacted the downtown area by saying there are too many ethnicities there, women don't feel safe with hordes of migrant workers, and that business owners say there are so many of them that people who live there don't feel safe.
Migrant farm workers contributed an estimated $18 million to the local economy and generate substantial profits for Windsor and Essex County's multi-billion dollar agricultural industry. Yet despite these enormous contributions, members of the Leamington Business Improvement Association continue to lobby the local municipal government to pass a loitering by-law targeting the region's approximately 7,000 migrant workers.
Previous community efforts have been successful in stopping these types of by-laws. We are urging you to send a strong message to the city's municipal council that you stand in solidarity with the community's migrant workers.
Join the Rally Against Racism. We cannot be idle. We must get into the streets immediately. We must unite and stand with migrant workers. Only the people can defeat racism, bigotry and hate.
All Out! Bring your signs, banners and voices of protest. Spread the word.
For more information contact:
Elizabeth Ha
519-919-0852
[email protected]