Speaking Out on Systemic Violence and Anti-Black Racism
ShelaghSAVIS of Halton; Speaking Out on Systemic Violence and Anti-Black Racism
SAVIS of Halton is outraged over the historical and current systemic violence that is being committed against Black, Indigenous and communities of colour, both outside Canada and within it. Specifically, we are referencing anti-Black racism and recent instances of police brutality against the Black Community.
Like many of you, we are mourning the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet. Korchinski-Paquet was a 29-year-old Afro-Indigenous woman who died after falling from a 24th floor balcony after police were called to her Toronto apartment. Her family and the community are asking for answers, and her sudden death has led to greater concerns on wider issues of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. Many in Canada have joined to express their dismay that an interaction with police resulted in this loss of life.
It is important that we emphasize, the recent murder of George Floyd in Minnesota, and the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet are not isolated incidents, and should not be viewed as such. These deaths are the result of a culture where systems of white supremacy and subsequent racialized violence are normalized through institutional racism. This violence is systemic, as it continues to happen over and over again, and it is institutionalized, as this violence is protected and normalized through laws, policies, and practices within the criminal justice system.
Like our Ontario Coalition of Rape and Crisis Centre sister agencies, we are committed to continuing to do anti-racist/anti-oppressive work, and advocate against racialized violence. We encourage you to do the same.
On June fourth we will be partaking in a Solidarity March in our Halton Community. All information about the March can be found on our social media pages. We hope to see many of you there.
We share your frustrations in a system that is failing, we condemn anti-black racism, systemic, and institutionalized violence against Black, Indigenous, and communities of colour, and we stand in solidarity with you.
Sincerely,
SAVIS of Halton Team
About SAVIS of Halton
SAVIS of Halton: No Names, No Judgement, Just Support.
Visit us online at www.savisofhalton.org
For further information, images and interviews please contact:
Alma Arguello, Executive Director, SAVIS of Halton, 905-825-3622 x 24
