Anti-hate march draws Calgarians calling for change
More than 100 people attended a march against hate crimes in northeast Calgary Saturday.
A group of Pakistani-Canadians organized the event to call for an end to racism and bigotry just days after a deadly attack in London, Ontario.
They say the hatred that police believe sparked that attack isn't exclusive to any Canadian city.
"Hate crimes (are) not just the problem of that family (in London)," Shahnaz Munir said. "Hate crimes and racism are now growing day by day here."
Many Calgarians say Islamophobia, anti-Indigenous and Asian hate is only rising in the city.
Incidents earlier this year have led to residents speaking out about their own experiences. Munir says it's something many in the Pakistani community deal with daily.
"Everyone is facing it," she said. "In schools, our kids are facing it in universities, people are facing it in workplaces. Everywhere."
Association executive Muhammad Malik agreed.
"Our kids – university or school-going – they're scared to go out alone," he said.
There have been some steps taken to curb the hatred. Friday's provincial announcement aimed at protecting places of worship and gathering got a thumbs up from the association. But Saturday, they also pointed out not everyone in the community attends a mosque or a temple.
They would rather the government focus on ground-level changes that could potentially stop hatred before it can fully develop.
"Lots of speeches have been given," Munir said. "Now it's time to take action."
Black and Indigenous speakers were also in attendance at the march.
Activist Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes says as she continues to mourn the loss of hundreds of children in residential schools, she believes the country has a long way to go before "real reconciliation."
"Within the Indigenous community, we have suffered a lot of loss," she said. "We understand the sorrow. We understand the anger and the frustration. But I also want to share the hope and the light that we can make the world better for our kids."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.