An anti-racism march has been planned for South Delta this coming Saturday.
Recently, Delta Families Against Racism was created as an online group to connect, support and acknowledging the need for change within the community.
The Facebook group was created by Julia Johnson Baker and Kate Henderson.
“We have been feeling like there is a disconnection with our own community on racism...particularly if we dare to read comments in some local Facebook groups,” said Baker. “This said, we also know there are so many that stand together on this issue in our Delta communities. As such, some other parents and I came together over the past few days to form Delta Families Against Racism. Within an hour there was over a couple hundred members that had committed to the hard work of learning how to be anti-racist.”
See more on the group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/356900628610210/.
Baker said the group is hoping to create more solidarity and impact within the local community so that anti-racism efforts can be encouraged locally.
As such, this Saturday, June 27, starting at 4 p.m., an anti-racism march will be held for individuals and families. The march will start at City Hall in Ladner and will go around the civic prescient area, past the Delta police headquarters, Delta school district and Delta fire department to Ladner Trunk Road by the McDonald’s and then walking back past the bus loop, Leisure Centre and finishing at city hall.
“We believe this creates a community-driven movement that is also safe for our children to attend,” said Baker. “I have been in touch with both tweens and teens locally that have expressed such passionate interest and commitment to this need.”
Henderson said while there isn't necessarily racism where you are physically unsafe in our community, there really is an undercurrent of unconscious racism and micro aggressions that we have experienced/witnessed.
“I think for a long time both Julia and I are feeling a lot of what many in the community feeling with racism in Delta that it is kind of a different type of racism - it’s not in your face or people physically getting hurt – there is a different undercurrent and one that we want to address,” added Henderson. “It’s hard to talk about when there are other people who have different opinions of what racism is and whether they recognize it or not and so it’s frustrating, so we wanted to create a space and a place where people who feel as we do where we can learn more how to be anti-racist, not just not racist, so the Facebook page is that space.”
Both Baker and Henderson stress that Saturday’s march is a family-oriented event, and are asking that everyone wear masks and social distance six feet apart to adhere to the COVID-19 pandemic health and safety protocols.
City manager Sean McGill said city staff along with Delta police are working with the group on a safety plan.
“Our number one concern is safety for everyone, so the police chief is working on a safety plan. They want to walk from city hall over the school board and back. So long as they can meet the safety requirements we are totally supportive,” said McGill. “They have been great to work with. They are requesting that people wear masks, and that it is a family event. We are supportive.”
This Thursday, the group is hosting a sign making event at the Memorial Park picnic area at 4 p.m. Participants are asked to bring their own supplies.
“The work of anti-racism is a long road and a continuum and we hope this is a start for all of our community members to acknowledge Delta as a whole has work to do and that we are committed to the learning and growth necessary for anti-racism in Delta,” added Henderson.
