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Vancouver, B.C. – B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, hosted an event in Vancouver on Thursday to unveil a powerful mural co-designed with the youth from Britannia Secondary School and two accomplished local artists. The mural project builds on the final report of the Commissioner’s Inquiry into hate in the pandemic, “From Hate to Hope,” which calls on all people and communities in B.C. to work to understand and confront hate.

As demonstrated by thousands of voices that participated in the inquiry, communities across B.C. have experienced a wave of hate that arose during the pandemic and continues today. The mural unveiled in Vancouver represents a step forward in helping community members to process their experiences of hate. It is intended to inspire connections that can fortify the community against disinformation and fear—and catalyse conversations about how to create the change B.C. needs.

“The unveiling of this mural marks an important moment in our communities’ efforts to stand up against hate in all its forms—including racism, gender-based violence, homophobia and transphobia, antisemitism and Islamophobia,” said Commissioner Govender. “Working with the artists and the Britannia youth community in Vancouver has allowed us to give voice to shared dreams for change and a better future.”

The Commissioner continued: “Our inquiry report reviews the spiraling levels of hate across British Columbia in depth and provides a path forward with 12 tangible and transformative recommendations. This mural—and the others that will follow across the province—responds to these disturbing and, at times, overwhelming findings by transforming hate into hope through public art. It is my hope that it will inspire the community to come together and serve as a beacon for love and understanding.”

The Britannia Community Services Society (BCSS) co-hosted the Vancouver launch event. The Anti Racism and Anti Oppression Committee of the BCSS board stated: “The mural is warmly affirming of the inclusiveness and diversity of our community. Its gorgeous colours and variety of images and people represent us. It shows life with love, free of hate and the important role of art.”

“This mural is a colourful depiction of a community coming together to lift each other up and bring about positive change for this generation and those to come,” said Paige Jung, one of the mural artists.

Jung’s collaborator, Malena Mokhovikova, added: “I hope this work moves people to come together with their neighbours and bring about a future defined by inclusion and belonging.”

The unveiling of the Vancouver mural marks the first of four new murals to be showcased across the province, with subsequent installations in progress in Fort St. John, Keremeos and Nanaimo.

This project is an extension of the Commissioner’s Inquiry into hate and focuses on community activation to build connection through art and placemaking. These community activation projects follow closely on a series of events and workshops hosted across B.C. earlier this year, which brought together civic leaders to talk about local experiences of hate and paths forward for responding to and preventing hate in their communities.

Resources

Find this release as a PDF here.

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Media contact

To request an interview with Commissioner Kasari Govender, please contact Lindsey Bertrand, Senior Communications Advisor, at or 604-306-736.

Media kit

Visit our media kit for images of Commissioner Kasari Govender and other resources.

About BCOHRC

BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner exists to address the root causes of inequality, discrimination and injustice in B.C. by shifting laws, policies, practices and cultures. We do this work through education, research, advocacy, inquiry and monitoring. Learn more at: bchumanrights.ca

About the Commissioner

B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, started her five-year term on Sept. 3, 2019. As an independent officer of the Legislature, Commissioner Govender is uniquely positioned to ensure human rights in B.C. are protected, respected and advanced on a systemic level. Her work through BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner centres listening deeply to British Columbians to inform educational materials, policy guidance, public inquiries, interventions, community-based research and more that protects marginalized communities, addresses discrimination and injustice and upholds human rights for all.

About the Inquiry into hate in the pandemic

B.C.’s Human Rights Code gives the Human Rights Commissioner broad powers to inquire into matters that would serve to promote or protect human rights in B.C., including through a public inquiry with the ability to report the findings publicly and to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

A public inquiry is an opportunity to delve deeply into the human rights implications of a particular incident or issue, gather factual and expert evidence, hear directly from those impacted (for example, through witness statements, public hearings or surveys) and make recommendations for how to address the human rights issues raised. An inquiry is not a court of law and cannot make legal findings regarding specific incidents of hate. The Inquiry into hate in the pandemic was the first inquiry conducted by an independent human rights commissioner in B.C.  Beginning in August 2021, the Inquiry analyzed data from multiple sources, drew on extensive independent research and heard from thousands of people in B.C. The final report, “From hate to hope,” was released in March 2023. Learn more: bchumanrights.ca/inquiry-into-hate  

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